Arab News

TOKYO: The Japanese government welcomes the agreement reached in Afghanistan on Sunday resolving the country’s election dispute, a statement by Press Secretary Masato Ohtaka said.

The arrangement ended a major disagreement between the president, Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, and his rival, former Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah, over last September’s election results.

“The Government of Japan hopes that the Afghan government, in accordance with the agreement, will steadily address various issues, including the current spread of the COVID-19, and actively engage in the intra-Afghan negotiations towards a durable and comprehensive peace, in a manner that will broadly gain trust from the Afghan people,” said the statement.

According to the deal, Ghani will remain as president, while Abdullah will be put in charge of peace efforts with the Taliban. In addition, half of the cabinet positions will be given to Abdullah’s coalition.

Many hope that the Afghan government will now be in a better position to work toward peace negotiations with the Taliban, which made an agreement with the U.S. earlier this year for the gradual removal of American troops.

“The Government of Japan, in cooperation with the international community, will continue to support the efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan,” said the statement.