Iran favors broad-based government in Afghanistan

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has welcomed signing of a power-sharing agreement by two Afghan rival presidential candidates, noting that the Islamic Republic supports a broad-based government in Afghanistan.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always supported peace, stability and security [in Afghanistan] through the establishment of a broad-based and strong government with the participation of all ethnicities and groups in this country,” the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

Afghanistan’s two rival presidential candidates, Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani, signed a deal to form a unity government on Sunday.

The Foreign Ministry statement added that the agreement between the two presidential rivals shows the “political maturity” of the Afghan elite and people and the country’s potential to resolve its internal problems.

It expressed hope that the positive outcome of the deal would pave the way for stronger security as well as growth and prosperity in war-stricken Afghanistan.

Iran reiterates its principled stance of supporting Afghanistan’s integrity and development, while expressing its readiness to cooperate with the new Afghan government and broaden bilateral ties in all fields, the ministry said.

The statement comes as Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission (IEC) is expected to announce the final results of the country’s disputed presidential election.

The new government will replace the administration of Hamid Karzai, which has been in power since Washington and its allies invaded the country in 2001.