Clinton was accorded a warm welcome by Afghan and US Embassy officials at the Kabul International Airport, where her plane landed at about 5pm. Ahead of having dinner with Karzai, she went straight to the US Embassy from the airport.

A spokesman for the embassy confirmed to Pajhwok Afghan News the secretary -- on her maiden official trip to Kabul -- would take part in Karzai's oath-taking ceremony, scheduled for Thursday at the Presidential Palace.

Expected to hold talks with several Afghan and regional leaders, Clinton met in the evening with Ambassador Karl Eikenberry and American General Stanley McChrystal, commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

Amid growing calls for President Karzai to clean up his cabinet, more than 40 foreign dignitaries including Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and his Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi are likely to attend the inauguration.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, a special envoy of the Japanese government and other foreign leaders will attend the ceremony.

In an effort to preempt possible sabotage bids, security forces stepped up patrols on roads and helicopter flyovers in and around the capital. Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman Gen. Zahir Azimi said Afghan National Army, police, and NATO-led ISAF soldiers were on alert.

In a statement, he said some roads leading to the capital would remain closed for traffic. Thursday has been declared a public holiday to prevent possible problems for residents.

The Ministry of Interior said Pul-i-Artal, Nadarya High School Square, Salem Karwan Square, Baraki Square, Kabul Customs, Logar Petroleum, Dahan-i-Bagh Square, Sya Sang Intersection and

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