US hopes for Afghan security pact

Written By Unknown on Senin, 22 September 2014 | 19.15

22 September 2014 Last updated at 01:36

The US says it hopes a key bilateral security agreement with Afghanistan can be signed before the end of the month.

It comes after a deal to form a new unity government was signed on Sunday, breaking months of political deadlock.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said the deal "offers a huge opportunity for progress in Afghanistan".

The security agreement will determine the number of US soldiers to remain in Afghanistan after most foreign troops withdraw at the end of the year.

The outgoing President, Hamid Karzai, had refused to sign it while he remained in office.

Both candidates in the country's recent presidential election, Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, had promised to sign the agreement once elected, but the election result has been delayed by months of political deadlock.

Under the unity deal, Mr Ghani becomes president while runner-up Abdullah Abdullah nominates a CEO with powers similar to those of prime minister.

The power-sharing deal comes after months of wrangling following presidential elections in April and June.

'Huge opportunity'

John Kerry congratulated both men on the signing of the unity deal.

He said the deal offered an opportunity for the signing of a bilateral security agreement (BSA) between the US and Afghanistan "in a week or so".

Under the BSA, some foreign special forces are expected to stay in the country to conduct "counter-terror operations" and others to support and train Afghan forces

The US is planning to significantly reduce the number of its troops in Afghanistan before the end of the year.

Mr Kerry had helped to broker a comprehensive audit of all eight million votes in the election.

The audit was completed earlier this month but the final tallies have not been made public amid fears over unrest.

Afghanistan's election commission did declare Mr Ghani as the winner, however, in a statement on Sunday.

Both sides had accused the other of fraud following the election and the months of uncertainty have damaged the economy and worsened insecurity.

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Ashraf Ghani Abdullah Abdullah
Ghani

Technocrat and former World Bank official. Open to talks with Taliban

Abdullah Abdullah during interview with AFP at his residence in Kabul August 9, 2014

Former anti-Soviet resistance member. Wary of Taliban talks

Leading in Pashtun-dominated southern provinces

Ahead in mainly Tajik northern areas

Backed by Rashid Dostum, an Uzbek ex-warlord accused of human rights abuses

Supported by wealthy Balkh governor Atta Mohammad, a bitter Dostum rival

Has support of Qayyum Karzai, brother of President Karzai

Also has backing of Mohamed Mohaqiq, powerful leader of ethnic Hazaras

Ahmed Zia Masood, whose brother was a famous resistance hero, helped balance ticket

Gul Agha Sherzai, an influential Pashtun, helped bring ethnic balance to ticket

Are you in Afghanistan? What is your reaction to the national unity deal? You can email your comments to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.


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