Afghan candidates make a deal

Former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah (pictured, left) and former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai (pictured, right), who had been at loggerheads over who will replace outgoing President Hamid Karzai, announced they had made a deal to form a national unity government and set the inauguration before the end of August.

The Afghan candidates agreed to resolve their election dispute following meetings with Kerry on Friday.

"Today myself, our team, and Dr (Ashraf) Ghani and his team have taken another step forward in the interests of strengthening national unity in the country... and also to bring hope for the better future for the people of Afghanistan," Abdullah said.

Kerry is on a previously unannounced visit to Kabul to urge the candidates to accept the results of an ongoing audit of all ballots from the disputed June 14 election.

The United Nations is overseeing the recount of more than eight million votes cast in the poll. The results are expected to be released later this month.

Karzai said the drawn-out recount was affecting the country's government, economy and security.

"Afghans are waiting for the results of the elections and want that the new president should be sworn in soon," his office said in a statement on Friday.

Reuters reported the candidates' joint declaration did not provide details on the government's framework, except that both sides would form a commission to work on its structure.

nm/shs (AFP, AP, Reuters, dpa)