Ex-president lends weight to Grand National Coalition

KABUL.

A day earlier, the coalition formally announced its creation, stressing the need for transparent elections and pledging to field a qualified individual for next year’s presidential election.

In a statement from his office, Karzai said he backed the alliance’s goals, including fair polls and national unity. The objectives had been framed with consensus among public representatives and political parties, he said.

He hoped the Afghans, through such joint endeavours, would foil foreign interference in the internal affairs of the country, strengthen national sovereignty, promote democracy and enforce peace in Afghanistan.

Leaders of the coalition say they will rein in chaos and nominate a consensus candidate for the president.

First Vice-President and Junbish-i-Islami Afghanistan head Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum, Jamiat-i-Islami leader Salahuddin Rabbani, former Balkh governor Atta Mohammad Noor, ex-special representative to president Ahmad Zia Massoud, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Mohaqiq and then spy chief Rahmatullah Nabil are members of the coalition.

Anwarul Haq Ahadi, head of Afghanistan’s New National Front, Ismail Khan, former water and energy minister, Mohammad Yunus Qanooni former vice-president, Hamayun Hamayun, first deputy speaker of Wolesi Jirga, Haji Zahir Qadir, a lawmaker from Nangarhar, Lalai Hamidzai, also an MP, and other political figures are part of the alliance.

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