Ghani, Abdullah meet after calls from Obama

KABUL (Pajhwok): Presidential candidates Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah met in Kabul on Saturday to discuss the proposed national unity government and election-related issues.

Sources close to the candidates told Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) Ghani led a team of his aides during the meeting at Abdullah’s residence in the capital. Details of the meeting were not shared with the media.

Coming hours after conversations with US President Barack Obama over the phone, it was the second meeting between the two leaders in less than a week, as the election commission continues to conduct a vote audit.

Faizullah Zaki, Ghani’s spokesman, said the series of meetings would continue in the days to come. Both sides have on forming a government of unity but some questions about its structure remain unanswered.

The role and powers of the would-be chief executive, which will go the runner-up, are seen a major issue that is yet to be resolved. But the two sides hope the problem would be overcome.

Late on Friday night, Obama spoke separately with the two candidates and urged them to work closely to achieve a political and technical breakthrough in the election process and prevent Afghanistan slipping into a crisis.

sks/mud

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