`` This has been a difficult election process for Afghanistan and lessons must be learned , '' Ban said in the statement . NEW : President Obama called for `` new chapter '' of improved governance in Afghanistan . Karzai made president following withdrawal of opposition leader Abdullah Abdullah . Recommend0 Hamid Karzai has been president of Afghanistan since December 2004 .
NEW : President Obama called for `` new chapter '' of improved governance in Afghanistan . Karzai made president following withdrawal of opposition leader Abdullah Abdullah . Recommend0 Hamid Karzai has been president of Afghanistan since December 2004 .