Afghan presidential race: Rassoul announces support to Abdullah

Kabul, May 11 (IANS) Afghan presidential candidate Zalmai Rassoul, who secured third position in the electoral race, Sunday announced his support to the leading candidate Abdullah Abdullah.

"Hereby I am announcing the support of Zalami Rassoul and his team to the leading presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah and his team," Jawed Faisal, a close aide to Zalmai Rassoul announced in a meeting attended by hundreds of his supporters here.

Rassoul described Abdullah as his friend, saying his decision to support him enjoys the support of his team and his supporters, Xinhua reported.

Previously another presidential candidate Gul Agha Shirzai had joined Abdullah's team.

Abdullah Abdullah secured 44.9 percent, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai won 31.5 percent and Zalmai Rassoul bagged 11.5 percent in the preliminary results announced by the Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan April 26, paving the way for the runoff between front-runners Abdullah and Ghani Ahmadzai.

The runoff is slated for June 7.