Kerry urged to help resolve election impasse

KHOST CITY (Pajhwok): Tribal elders and civil society activists in southeastern Khost province on Thursday urged US secretary of State John Kerry to play a proactive role in ensuring an amicable end to the deadlock over presidential election results.

Speaking at a press conference, the participants hailed Kerry for trying to resolve the differences between presidential contenders Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah.

Kerry is visiting Afghanistan tomorrow to patch up the electoral dispute between Abdullah and Ahmadzai. He has already warned against a resort to extra-constitutional means to grab power.

Ilyas Wahdat, a civil society activist, asked the US foreign sectary to play a neutral role and avoid undermining the sacrifices of the Afghans.

Rasoul Mohammad Tanai, a tribal elder, asked both the candidates to remain patient in the larger national interest. Chaos would only destabilize the country, he added.

Reports say President Barak Obama has warned both candidates not to destabilise the situation in Afghanistan. The use of illegal means could deprive Afghanistan of billions of dollars in foreign aid.

nh/rm/mud

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