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Former Afghan Foreign Minister Registers for Election


Abdullah Abdullah, former Afghan Foreign Minister, gestures during a press conference in Kabul, Afghanistan, (File photo).
Abdullah Abdullah, former Afghan Foreign Minister, gestures during a press conference in Kabul, Afghanistan, (File photo).
Prominent Afghan opposition leader Abdullah Abdullah has announced he will run in next year's Afghan presidential election.

Abdullah, a former foreign minister fired in 2006 by President Hamid Karzai, registered his candidacy Tuesday for next year's April 5 election. Abdullah challenged Karzai for the presidency in 2009, but withdrew ahead of a runoff vote.

Karzai is prevented by law from seeking a third term in office.

Next year's vote is seen as critical to the future of Afghanistan, as NATO combat troops complete their withdrawal from the country.

Sunday is Afghanistan's deadline for registering for next year's presidential election.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.
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