German support for Afghanistan
September 6, 2014
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has arrived at the German military base Mazar-i-Sharif in Afghanistan. During his trip, he will meet with President Hamid Karzai as well as the two candidates who ran to replace him, Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah.
Steinmeier will also meet with the UN Special Representative for Afghanistan Jan Kubis along with German election observers.
Nearly three months after the run-off election, results remain inconclusive. Both candidates have accused the other of election fraud, Steinmeier has called upon both sides to build a national unity government.
The foreign minister said the Afghan politicians should use "the historic opportunity to create a democratic transition of power."
He pledged German support for the formation of a new government, so long as "both sides felt obliged to participate."
Run-off and recount
Abdullah had won the April 5 poll, before runner-up and former Finance Minister Ghani demanded a run-off. After the second poll, both candidates still mistrusted the results.
The contenders for the office of the president had agreed to a new count of ballots and subsequent formation of a unity government.
The recount, which was watched over by the United Nations, was completed on Friday. Results are expected to be announced next Wednesday.
sb/av (dpa, AFP, Reuters)