Rooting out terrorism is main aim of new Afghan leader

Afghanistan's new interim ruler has pledged to build a new nation but says the terrorists who have held it hostage must be destroyed.

Hamid Karzai also urged the US not to turn its back on his country once the Afghan phase of the war against terrorism is over.

Speaking at the former residence of Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, in Kandahar, he said: "Please do not turn away again."

Mr Karzai said Afghanistan faces a daunting task to build a functioning state on the wreckage of 23 years of war but promised all terrorists would be rooted out.

Taliban forces agreed to surrender Kandahar on Thursday but then fled with their al Qaida allies, leaving rival anti-Taliban factions in control of Afghanistan's second-largest city.

Mr Karzai has rushed to Kandahar claiming to give Kandahar what he called, the first taste of democracy.

He met tribal leaders from five southern provinces and addressed local elders and influential residents of Kandahar.

He has also met leaders of the Hindu and Shiite communities, both of which were discriminated against under the Taliban.