Kabul: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s rival in last two rounds of election Abdullah Abdullah. the former chief executive, would soon become chairman of the new reconciliation council, according to Vice President Mohammad Sarwar Danesh, who said that political tensions would be soon over.

“Efforts are going on to strengthen unity and coordination in the framework of the national partnership government. The two sides will gain final agreement within few days and Mr. Abdullah will assume the leadership of the High Reconciliation Council,” Danesh assured the UN new special envoy to Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons through a video meeting.

The statement comes as some media reports say tougher conditions offered by Abdullah such as forming a high council of state with the presence of political leaders, executive prime minister post with special authorities including leadership of peace process to his team, a leadership council led by him, granting the military rank of marshal to Abdul Rashid Dostum and having half off ministers, deputy ministers, ambassadors and senior directors.

Nobody from Abdullah’s team has commented on Danesh’s statement.

Peace efforts, Taliban negotiations and the Corona virus were also discussed in the meeting between Danesh and Ms. Lyons, who warned that Afghanistan would face hard days once the virus threat rises.

She assured Danesh that the United Nations would continue any kind of cooperation with the people and government of Afghanistan.

2,171 people have been infected with the Corona virus from whom, 64 lost their lives, according to official figures.

http://www.afghanistantimes.af/abdullah-to-chair-reconciliation-council-says-danesh/