Kerry in Kabul to help break poll deadlock

KABUL late Thursday night to help resolve the deadlock over the presidential election, a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Kerry is scheduled to meet President Hamid Karzai, both presidential contenders Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and other stakeholders on how to come out of the electoral impasse.

Ahead of his departure for Afghanistan, Kerry had said he was deeply concerned over the country’s electoral crisis.

The Independent Election Commission (IEC) declared Ahmadzai as winner in the preliminary election results but his rival Abdullah alleged widespread rigging and suspended all his contacts with the electoral bodies.

Before his arrival in Kabul, Kerry had told journalists in China that the US had been in contact with all stakeholders in Afghanistan. He also urged the presidential runners to avoid provoking their supporters.

During the 2009 presidential election, Kerry had been able to convince Abdullah into accepting the results.  

rm/mud

Visits: 0