Kerry pushes for deal on Afghan election
KABUL, Afghanistan – The Obama administration on Thursday stepped up efforts to press Afghanistan’s two feuding presidential candidates to end their dispute over June elections, accept the results of an ongoing audit of all ballots and form a national unity government by early September.
On an unannounced visit to Kabul, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry made personal appeals to both candidates former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah and former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai to understand the urgency of finding a resolution before the upcoming NATO summit in Wales on Sept. 4, according to officials traveling with Kerry. At that summit, NATO leaders are hoping to make decisions about their nations’ roles in Afghanistan after the end of the year, when most combat troops will be withdrawn.
Officials with Kerry said the summit would be an opportunity for the eventual election winner to present himself to the alliance.
Hamas threatens to resume attacks
GAZA CITY, Gaza City – With a deadline looming hours away, Hamas on Thursday rejected Israeli demands it disarm and threatened to resume its rocket attacks if its demands for lifting a crippling blockade on Gaza were not met.
The hard-line stance, voiced by a senior Hamas official at the group’s first rally since a cease-fire in the Gaza war took effect on Tuesday, signaled that indirect negotiations in Cairo over a permanent truce in Gaza were not making headway. It was an ominous sign ahead of today’s expiration of a temporary three-day truce that ended a month of fighting.
A text message from Hamas’ military wing, warned there would be no extension if there was no agreement to permanently lift the blockade.
Associated Press
