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21 September 2014 Last updated at 08:52 Share this pagePrint
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Afghan presidential contenders sign unity deal
Abdullah Abdullah (left) and Ashraf Ghani exchange signed agreements. 21 Sept 2014
Abdullah Abdullah, left, and Ashraf Ghani signed the agreement in the presidential palace in Kabul
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Taliban Conflict
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Why poll matters
Rush to polls
Before and after Taliban
A deal to form a government of national unity in Afghanistan has been signed at a ceremony in Kabul.
The signing - broadcast live on national TV - comes after months of wrangling following presidential elections in April and June.
Under the deal, Ashraf Ghani becomes president while runner-up Abdullah Abdullah nominates a CEO with powers similar to those of prime minister.
The final result of the bitterly contested poll is due to be announced.
Both sides had accused the other of fraud following the election.
Mr Ghani and Mr Abdullah signed the agreement at a ceremony inside the presidential palace in the capital, Kabul. They then stood and embraced each other.
Outgoing Afghan President Hamid Karzai congratulated the two men, saying that the agreement was "for the progress and development of this country".
"On behalf of the Afghan nation, I am congratulating them on this understanding and agreement," he said in his speech.
The power-sharing deal was finally reached after a comprehensive audit of all eight million votes which began in July.
BBC Afghanistan correspondent David Loyn, who has seen a copy of the final document, says the deal averts potential violence by supporters of Mr Abdullah.
The agreement says the new CEO will be answerable to Mr Ghani, although he has lost a battle to be sworn in after the announcement of the election result, our correspondent says.
line
Analysis: David Loyn, BBC News, Afghanistan
The creation of the government of national unity will now diminish the importance of the election result. I understand that after the audit the final gap between the two candidates was less than three points - a significant cut from Ashraf Ghani's lead after the first count of 13 points.
A president who has built an international reputation as an incorruptible technocrat is tarnished by the fact that most of the fraud in the election was discovered to be in his votes.
The new Afghan government will have a cabinet of ministers, including the CEO and two deputies, chaired by the president who will take strategic decisions. Day-to-day administration will be carried out by a new Council of Ministers, chaired by the CEO, and including all ministers.
One major issue that divided both camps was over appointments. Dr Abdullah won the fight to be able to appoint senior positions on terms of "parity" with Dr Ghani, and "the two teams will be equally represented at the leadership level".
But appointments further down will be "equitably" shared - so there will not be a one-for-one handout of jobs across the country. Dr Ghani is impatient to make major reforms, and has secured the wording he wants on the formation of a "merit-based" mechanism to appoint senior officials.
What the Afghan power-sharing deal means
Profile: Ashraf Ghani
Profile: Abdullah Abdullah
line
The new chief executive - nominated by Mr Abdullah - will be side-by-side with the president when he is inaugurated.
Mr Abdullah will be able to appoint senior positions on terms of "parity" with Mr Ghani. The agreement says "the two teams will be equally represented at the leadership level".
However, our correspondent says there will not be a one-for-one handout of jobs further down and that could lead to arguments.
The agreement calls for a spirit of partnership. But after a bitter election campaign and months of wrangling, the stability of this government cannot be guaranteed, he adds.
John Kerry with Ashraf Ghani in Kabul. 7 Aug 2014
US Secretary of State John Kerry helped to negotiate an audit of the election result
Earlier, Mr Abdullah told the BBC that he accepted Mr Ghani should be leader.
A spokesman for Mr Ghani said that there was no longer any dispute between the two sides.
"Both camps have agreed 100% on everything and we'll sign the deal tomorrow," Faizullah Zaki told Reuters on Saturday.
The audit of ballots was part of a deal brokered in July by US Secretary of State John Kerry to try to avert a descent into violence.
Both candidates pledged to accept the audit results and form a unity government.
One of the new president's first tasks is widely expected to be signing a bilateral security agreement with the US.
The deal will allow a small force of soldiers to remain beyond 2014 to train Afghan security forces.
President Karzai refused to sign the security agreement, which is linked to the continuation of aid needed to pay Afghan civil servants, teachers and soldiers.
Mr Ghani and Mr Abdullah have both promised to sign the agreement.
How rival candidates compare
Ashraf Ghani Abdullah Abdullah
Ghani
Technocrat and former World Bank official. Open to talks with Taliban
Abdullah Abdullah during interview with AFP at his residence in Kabul August 9, 2014
Former anti-Soviet resistance member. Wary of Taliban talks
Leading in Pashtun-dominated southern provinces
Ahead in mainly Tajik northern areas
Backed by Rashid Dostum, an Uzbek ex-warlord accused of human rights abuses
Supported by wealthy Balkh governor Atta Mohammad, a bitter Dostum rival
Has support of Qayyum Karzai, brother of President Karzai
Also has backing of Mohamed Mohaqiq, powerful leader of ethnic Hazaras
Ahmed Zia Masood, whose brother was a famous resistance hero, helped balance ticket
Gul Agha Sherzai, an influential Pashtun, helped bring ethnic balance to ticket
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Afghan presidential contenders sign unity deal
Abdullah Abdullah (left) and Ashraf Ghani exchange signed agreements. 21 Sept 2014
Abdullah Abdullah, left, and Ashraf Ghani signed the agreement in the presidential palace in Kabul
Continue reading the main story
Taliban Conflict
Where are Pakistan's militants?
Why poll matters
Rush to polls
Before and after Taliban
A deal to form a government of national unity in Afghanistan has been signed at a ceremony in Kabul.
The signing - broadcast live on national TV - comes after months of wrangling following presidential elections in April and June.
Under the deal, Ashraf Ghani becomes president while runner-up Abdullah Abdullah nominates a CEO with powers similar to those of prime minister.
The final result of the bitterly contested poll is due to be announced.
Both sides had accused the other of fraud following the election.
Mr Ghani and Mr Abdullah signed the agreement at a ceremony inside the presidential palace in the capital, Kabul. They then stood and embraced each other.
Outgoing Afghan President Hamid Karzai congratulated the two men, saying that the agreement was "for the progress and development of this country".
"On behalf of the Afghan nation, I am congratulating them on this understanding and agreement," he said in his speech.
The power-sharing deal was finally reached after a comprehensive audit of all eight million votes which began in July.
BBC Afghanistan correspondent David Loyn, who has seen a copy of the final document, says the deal averts potential violence by supporters of Mr Abdullah.
The agreement says the new CEO will be answerable to Mr Ghani, although he has lost a battle to be sworn in after the announcement of the election result, our correspondent says.
line
Analysis: David Loyn, BBC News, Afghanistan
The creation of the government of national unity will now diminish the importance of the election result. I understand that after the audit the final gap between the two candidates was less than three points - a significant cut from Ashraf Ghani's lead after the first count of 13 points.
A president who has built an international reputation as an incorruptible technocrat is tarnished by the fact that most of the fraud in the election was discovered to be in his votes.
The new Afghan government will have a cabinet of ministers, including the CEO and two deputies, chaired by the president who will take strategic decisions. Day-to-day administration will be carried out by a new Council of Ministers, chaired by the CEO, and including all ministers.
One major issue that divided both camps was over appointments. Dr Abdullah won the fight to be able to appoint senior positions on terms of "parity" with Dr Ghani, and "the two teams will be equally represented at the leadership level".
But appointments further down will be "equitably" shared - so there will not be a one-for-one handout of jobs across the country. Dr Ghani is impatient to make major reforms, and has secured the wording he wants on the formation of a "merit-based" mechanism to appoint senior officials.
What the Afghan power-sharing deal means
Profile: Ashraf Ghani
Profile: Abdullah Abdullah
line
The new chief executive - nominated by Mr Abdullah - will be side-by-side with the president when he is inaugurated.
Mr Abdullah will be able to appoint senior positions on terms of "parity" with Mr Ghani. The agreement says "the two teams will be equally represented at the leadership level".
However, our correspondent says there will not be a one-for-one handout of jobs further down and that could lead to arguments.
The agreement calls for a spirit of partnership. But after a bitter election campaign and months of wrangling, the stability of this government cannot be guaranteed, he adds.
John Kerry with Ashraf Ghani in Kabul. 7 Aug 2014
US Secretary of State John Kerry helped to negotiate an audit of the election result
Earlier, Mr Abdullah told the BBC that he accepted Mr Ghani should be leader.
A spokesman for Mr Ghani said that there was no longer any dispute between the two sides.
"Both camps have agreed 100% on everything and we'll sign the deal tomorrow," Faizullah Zaki told Reuters on Saturday.
The audit of ballots was part of a deal brokered in July by US Secretary of State John Kerry to try to avert a descent into violence.
Both candidates pledged to accept the audit results and form a unity government.
One of the new president's first tasks is widely expected to be signing a bilateral security agreement with the US.
The deal will allow a small force of soldiers to remain beyond 2014 to train Afghan security forces.
President Karzai refused to sign the security agreement, which is linked to the continuation of aid needed to pay Afghan civil servants, teachers and soldiers.
Mr Ghani and Mr Abdullah have both promised to sign the agreement.
How rival candidates compare
Ashraf Ghani Abdullah Abdullah
Ghani
Technocrat and former World Bank official. Open to talks with Taliban
Abdullah Abdullah during interview with AFP at his residence in Kabul August 9, 2014
Former anti-Soviet resistance member. Wary of Taliban talks
Leading in Pashtun-dominated southern provinces
Ahead in mainly Tajik northern areas
Backed by Rashid Dostum, an Uzbek ex-warlord accused of human rights abuses
Supported by wealthy Balkh governor Atta Mohammad, a bitter Dostum rival
Has support of Qayyum Karzai, brother of President Karzai
Also has backing of Mohamed Mohaqiq, powerful leader of ethnic Hazaras
Ahmed Zia Masood, whose brother was a famous resistance hero, helped balance ticket
Gul Agha Sherzai, an influential Pashtun, helped bring ethnic balance to ticket