Afghan presidential rivals agree to form government

KABUL (AA) – Afghanistan's presidential rivals Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani have agreed to form a government, the pair said at a press conference supported by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. The country's former Foreign Minister and Finance Minister signed a unity government deal on Friday following their ongoing dispute over the results of Afghanistan's presidential polls in April and June.
Former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah described the agreement as "a positive step towards building national unity in the country and bringing hope to the people for the future of Afghanistan".
Former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani said they would work together in the interests of their country.
Afghanistan's new president was due to assume office last Saturday, but disputes between the rival candidates over election fraud have impeded what was set to be a landmark democratic handover.
The votes are being recounted.