Iran President Congratulates New Afghan Counterpart
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani congratulated Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai as the new Afghan president, and expressed Tehran’s satisfaction with the formation of a national unity government in neighboring Afghanistan.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran, as a friend and neighbor of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, welcomes the formation of the national unity government, which indicates the (Afghan) leaders’ deep insight and the basis for further strengthening of stability and security in that country,” Rouhani said in a Sunday congratulatory message to Ghani Ahmadzai.
The Iranian president also expressed the hope that “brotherly ties” between the two Muslim neighbors would enhance during the new Afghan president’s tenure.
On Sunday, Afghanistan's rival presidential candidates, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and Abdullah Abdullah, signed a deal to share power in a unity government, capping months of turmoil over a disputed election that destabilized Afghanistan.
Shortly after the deal was signed, Chairman of Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission (IEC) Ahmad Yousuf Nuristani declared Ghani as the winner of country’s disputed presidential vote.
Under the deal, Abdullah is due to fill the new post of chief executive officer, which will be similar to the role of prime minister.
