Ashraf Ghani sworn in as Afghanistan president for the second time

Presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah held his own ceremony at a similar time as a rival president in a disputed election.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani was sworn in for a second term on Monday but his main rival for the top job refused to recognise the inauguration, holding his own swearing-in ceremony as a rival president.

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani’s oath taking ceremony at the Presidential Palace was attended by a number of foreign diplomats, including United States Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad. (AP)

Television footage showed Ghani taking an oath at the Presidential palace in Kabul at a ceremony attended by a number of foreign diplomats, including US Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad.

Presidential candidate and rival in a disputed election Abdullah Abdullah held his own ceremony at a similar time, suggesting talks between the two camps and Khalilzad aimed at brokering an agreement had not been successful.