Drawing the curtains on a drawn-out and dramatic election season, today the Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan named Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai as the winner and the next president of Afghanistan. Meanwhile, an American-brokered power-sharing agreement signed by the two leading candidates dictates that runner-up Abdullah Abdullah will serve as his chief executive officer. Together they will share control over who leads key institutions such as the Afghan army and other executive decisions.

President-elect Ghani is expected to be sworn in within a week, and the United States hopes he will be quick to do what outgoing President Hamid Karzai has refused to do and sign a bilateral agreement allowing some troops to remain in Afghanistan after 2014.

"This agreement marks an important opportunity for unity and increased stability in Afghanistan," the White House said in a statement lauding the agreement, and celebrating the countries first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since the U.S. invasion in 2001. "We continue to call on all Afghans — including political, religious, and civil society leaders — to support this agreement and to come together in calling for cooperation and calm."

[Photo Credit: AP Images]