KABUL, (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama  pledged yesterday to end the Afghan war before he leaves  office, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on Hamid  Karzai to make a new compact with his people on the eve of his  inauguration.

Clinton made her first visit as secretary of state to  attend the swearing-in of Karzai, the veteran leader who takes  office today for a second full term as president with his  reputation in tatters after an election marred by fraud.

The capital was already under heavy security a day ahead of  the ceremony, with roads sealed off by Afghan troops. The  government has declared Thursday a holiday and advised citizens  to stay off the streets.

Western officials hope Karzai will use his keynote speech  at the inauguration to outline reforms that will help restore  his credibility both in Afghanistan and abroad.

“There is now a clear window of opportunity for President  Karzai and his government to make a new compact with the people  of Afghanistan, to demonstrate clearly that you’re going to  have accountability and tangible results that will improve the  lives of the people,” Clinton told staff at the U.S. embassy in  Kabul.

Her visit was the most senior by a member of the Obama  administration, which has so far kept Karzai at arm’s length.

She met General Stanley McChrystal, the commander of U.S.  and NATO forces in Afghanistan, whose request for tens of  thousands of extra troops Obama is still considering. She was  due to have dinner with Karzai at his sprawling palace later on  Wednesday.

In an interview with CNN, Obama said he would announce the  results of his long-awaited review soon. It would include an  exit strategy to avoid “a multi-year occupation that won’t  serve the interests of the United States”, he said.

“The American people will have a lot of clarity about what  we’re doing, how we’re going to succeed, how much this thing is  going to cost, what kind of burden does this place on our young  men and women in uniform and, most importantly, what’s the end  game on this thing,” he said.