Washington: US President Barack Obama has pledged to support the new Afghan government emerging from disagreements over the result of a presidential run-off.
Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai was declared president-elect by the Afghan Independent Election Commission on Sunday, while his rival Abdullah Abdullah was named chief executive of a unity government they agreed upon earlier in the day, Xinhua reported.
After the unity government deal was signed, Obama spoke over the phone with Abdullah and Ahmadzai and congratulated them for concluding the agreement.
“The president reaffirmed the US’ strategic partnership with Afghanistan and commitment to continue its support to the new government,” the White House said in a statement.
Abdullah had refused to accept the result over allegations of fraud in the run-off June 14, bringing the country to the brink of its worst political crisis and resulting in an audit of all ballots.
