Rassoul’s decision his personal: Faizi

KABUL (Pajhwok): Zalmai Rassoul’s support to presidential runner Dr. Abdullah Abdullah is his personal decision, President Hamid Karzai’s spokesman said on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, Rassoul and his election team formally joined forces with former Abdullah. Rassoul said he had swung behind his ex-rival to correct the political balance and strengthen national unity.

Karzai’s spokesman Aimal Faizi, in an exclusive chat with Pajhwok Afghan News, said the president had been neutral and supported no specific candidate.

He vehemently dismissed the impression that the former foreign minister’s decision was based on Karzai’s prodding. “It’s Rassoul’s personal decision and right to back whoever he wants to…”

Rassoul had neither met the president nor consulted him on joining forces with Abdullah, Faizi insisted, saying Karzai learnt about the development from media outlets.

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