Afghanistan's Presidential Candidates Agree To Cooperate In A Future Government

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L) speaks next to Afghan presidential candidates Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and Abdullah Abdullah (R) during a news conference in Kabul August 8, 2014. Credit: REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Afghan Presidential Candidates Endorse Plan for Broad-Based Government -- Wall Street Journal

Candidates Vow to Step Up Cooperation So New President Can Take Office By Month's End

KABUL—Afghanistan's two presidential candidates on Friday formally endorsed a political agreement that paves the way for a broad-based government, giving new life to a deal facilitated by Secretary of State John Kerry aimed at putting an end to the country's protracted election dispute.

The two candidates—Former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani and former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah —previously shook hands on the deal, but opposition to it from within their respective camps threatened to scuttle it. On Friday, they finally signed the agreement that commits them to setting up a government of national unity.

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Afghanistan's Presidential Candidates Agree To Cooperate In A Future Government

Rival Afghan presidential candidates sign deal to cooperate -- Reuters
After meeting with Kerry, Afghan candidates agree to resolve dispute -- AP
Afghan Candidates Vow to Accept Election Audit Outcome -- Bloomberg
Afghan Presidential Rivals Agree to Sign a Deal -- NYT
Afghan Presidential Candidates Sign Unity Deal -- VOA
Afghanistan's presidential rivals reach agreement after Kerry flies into Kabul -- The Guardian
Afghan poll rivals sign unity government deal -- Al Jazeera
Why John Kerry Made a Secret Trip to Afghanistan -- Ali Weinberg, ABC News