Profile: Ashraf Ghani

Widely seen as a technocrat and an academic, Ashraf Ghani served as a special adviser to the UN’s envoy to Afghanistan following the US-led invasion.

The former World Bank economist has played an instrumental role in negotiations with the US and Nato over how Afghanistan will be governed once foreign troops withdraw later this year.

He has extensive experience of government having served as finance minister between 2002-2004. Now his diplomatic credential will be tested as his immediate task will be to heal ties split over results from a messy vote.

Afghanistan’s economy has also been put on hold by the uncertainty surrounding the leadership, and this result may help the international community make key decisions about long-term support.