Rouhani to Visit Afghanistan for Norouz Celebration. (UOI).
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will visit Afghanistan on Thursday to participate in celebrations of Norouz, the Iranian New Year. Heads of state and senior officials of other countries that celebrate Norouz will also take part in the ceremonies in Kabul.
Rouhani will arrive in Kabul a week before Afghans go to the polls to elect a new president and new parliament. Since the fall of the Taliban, Hamid Karzai has ruled the country continuously and at times erratically, and now has to relinquish power. The Iranians are believed to be supporting Abdullah Abdullah’s candidacy, although they maintain relations at varying degrees with other top contenders.
Four candidates have emerged as leading the field, with the April 5 election expected to go to the second round between the top two vote getters. Zalmay Rassoul, the former foreign minister, is said to have the active support of Karzai and his circle of close advisors. The old Mujahedeen ticket of Sayyaf and Ismail Khan, offer the best chance for fighting the Taliban after the drawdown of U.S. forces at the end of the year.
Abdullah lost a powerful supporter when Vice President Fahim passed away last week, but still is running a strong campaign, and is expected to reach the second round because of split of Pashtun votes among other candidates. And Ashraf Ghani, the eternal political advisor to Western officials visiting Kabul, is also expected to finish strong, but not strong enough to reach the second round.Hmmmm.......Obama: If We Work Hard, Afghanistan Could Be a Success...Like Iraq! ..........Yeah Riiiiiight.
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