Hagel, Bismillah discusses election audit process

WASHINGTON (Pajhwok): The US Defense Secretary, Chuck Hagel, met his Afghan counterpart, Bismillah Khan Mohammadi to discuss progress in the election audit process, as well as the security situation in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said.

During the meetings on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Wales, Hagel praised the work of Afghan security forces for their efforts in providing security for both elections, and noted their efforts to remain separate from the political process, the Pentagon Press Secretary, Rear Admiral John Kirby, said.

He also congratulated Minister Mohammadi for the gains Afghan and ISAF this year and stressed US commitment to the Resolute Support and follow-on counter-terrorism missions next year, pending a Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA),” Kirby said.

Mohammadi reassured Hagel that both presidential candidates continue to support a BSA. He indicated solid progress toward the completion of the election audit and spoke positively of the continued negotiations between the two candidates toward forming a unity government,” said the Pentagon Press Secretary.

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