Afghanistan: deal in sight

Afghanistan's messy post-election uncertainty appeared close to resolution on Sunday. The commission that oversaw June's election said it would publish the final results. And, aides to the candidates said both would sign a power-sharing deal.

The moves could break a three-month political deadlock that has further destabilized Afghanistan as the US-led military coalition prepares to end its 13-year war against the Taliban.

A spokesman for outgoing President Hamid Karzai, Aimal Faizi, said late on Saturday that "both candidates are expected to sign an agreement on the structure of a National Unity (government)" during a ceremony with Karzai.

Faizullah Zaki, a spokesman for ex-finance minister Ghani said "both camps have agreed 100 percent on everything."

Mujib Rahimi, a spokesman for former foreign minister Abdullah also confirmed that a deal had been struck, but did not give details.

Speculation on posts

Media speculation suggested that Ghani would become president, with Abdullah nominating who would fill the post of "chief executive," possibly taking on the post himself.

Ghani is widely supported by Pashtuns, Afghanistan's largest ethnic group, while Abdullah derives his support from the ethnic Tajik and Hazara communities.

Independent Election Commission (IEC) spokesman Noor Mohammad said the "final result" would be announced on Sunday.

Fraud accusations engulfed the election count after polling in the June 14 run-off. Ghani and Abdullah had emerged as finishers in April's first round.

US Secretary of State John Kerry brokered a deal in July under which both candidates agreed to abide by a UN -monitored audit of all 8 million ballots to avert a descent into violence.

Electoral delays

A successor to Karzai (pictured center), who was barred from a third term as president, had originally been due to be inaugurated on August 2.

Washington hopes that the new president will sign a long-awaited Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA), which would allow the US to keep some of its troops in Afghanistan after the intended withdrawal of NATO forces by late December .

Karzai had refused to sign the BSA.

Funding short

About 41,000 troops remain in Afghanistan, down from a peak of 150,000 in 2010. A follow-on force, mainly for training and support duties, would number about 12,000.

Under Karzai, efforts to open a peace process with the Taliban failed. In the first 8 months of this year, more than 2,300 civilians have been killed.

A drop-off in international aid prompted Afghanistan's finance ministry to warn recently that it would soon run out of money.

ipj/lw (Reuters, AFP)