Afghanistan Presidency rivals no nearer compromise
Ghani and Abdullah have locked horns since the 14 June second round run-off, accusing each other of trying to manipulate the vote and declaring victory in the contest to succeed Hamid Karzai as president.
The protracted dispute over the election has all but destroyed Western hopes for a smooth transition of power.
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Hide AdAbdullah, a former anti-Taleban resistance fighter, draws his support from the Tajik minority in northern Afghanistan, while Ghani, a former World Bank economist, represents the Pashtun majority.
As their standoff intensified, Afghanistan has become awash with speculation about a broader rift along ethnic lines or more violence unless they agree to accept the outcome of the vote or agree on a compromise power-sharing arrangement.