NATO chief welcomes deal between Afghan political leaders to end deadlock

Afghanistan's President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and his rival Abdullah Abdullah, who also claimed victory in the presidential election, inked an agreement on Sunday to end the political deadlock following last year's presidential election. Under the agreement, Ghani remains as president and Abdullah heads the High Council for National Reconciliation to lead the peace talks with the Taliban.

Brussels: The chief of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) welcomed the deal reached between Afghanistan's political leaders to end the political deadlock.

"I welcome the decision by Afghanistan's political leaders to resolve their differences & join efforts to form an inclusive government. NATO remains committed to supporting Afghanistan build lasting peace," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg tweeted on Sunday.

Afghanistan's President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and his rival Abdullah Abdullah, who also claimed victory in the presidential election, inked an agreement on Sunday to end the political deadlock following last year's presidential election, presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said on Twitter.

Under the agreement, Ghani remains as president and Abdullah heads the High Council for National Reconciliation to lead the peace talks with the Taliban.

In a statement, the NATO chief urged all parties to "seize this unprecedented opportunity for peace," adding, "NATO Allies and partners remain firmly committed to Afghanistan's long-term security and stability."

(with inputs from IANS)