White House hails deal on national unity govt

WASHINGTON (Pajhwok): The White House on Friday welcomed the agreement on “unity government” between the presidential candidates; Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and Dr Abdullah Abdullah.

Brokered by Secretary of State John Kerry, the deal would inspire confidence among the people in the democratic institutions of Afghanistan, the White House press secretary said.

Josh Earnest told reporters at his daily news conference Kerry had been in Kabul to try to broker a political solution that was centered on ensuring both candidates remained engaged in the effort to count all the ballots. 

“That’s important because it will inspire confidence among the Afghan people in their democratic institutions, and that will increase and strengthen the mandate of the eventual winner of that contest,” Earnest said.

And that was the goal of the secretary to continue to encourage and support the transition of power in Afghanistan from President Hamid Karzai to the next democratically elected president, he continued

He praised the candidates for signing agreement. “We commend the candidates for continuing to work together in the spirit of collegiality and statesmanship to maintain national unity during this historic transition process,” State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters.

rm/mud

Visits: 0