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Afghan Presidential Candidates Pledge To Form Unity Government


Presidential Candidates Ashraf Ghani (L) and Abdullah Abdullah.
Presidential Candidates Ashraf Ghani (L) and Abdullah Abdullah.

Afghanistan's rival presidential candidates told NATO leaders they are committed to forming a national unity government when the dispute over the presidential vote is resolved.

In a joint message sent to the NATO summit in Britain on September 4, Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah wrote, "We believe in an inclusive political vision. We will form a government of national unity."

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said leaders from NATO members received the message.

A UN-led audit of the ballots is currently being held after claims of massive fraud.

Rasmussen said earlier on September 4 that "we are approaching the date" when an Afghan president must sign a security agreement with NATO that would allow a small force to stay in Afghanistan after alliance forces withdraw at the end of 2014.

President Hamid Karzai has refused to sign the agreement.

Based on reporting by Reuters
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