Afghan presidential runners reach deal on creation of unity gov't

KABUL  (Xinhua) - Afghan presidential candidates Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and Abdullah Abdullah on Saturday agreed to sign an deal on creation of national unity government, ending a weeks-long political deadlock, reported local media.

"Dr. Abdullah and Dr. Ghani agreed on formation of the national unity government during a meeting held in Presidential Palace," Tolo TV reported in its news bulletin.

Afghanistan's third presidential election since the fall of Taliban was held on April 5 but since none of the eight candidates secured more than 50 percent of the votes, a runoff was conducted between frontrunners Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani on June 14.

The signing of the agreement will take place in the country's Presidential Palace in attendance of outgoing President Hamid Karzai, high-ranking Afghan officials and Jihadi leaders, according to the report.

The move has also paved the way for announcement of the final results of the country's June 14 polls as the Independent Election Commission's official earlier on the day said that the results will be announced on Sunday.