Hamid Karzai's Brother Quits Afghan Poll Race
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai has dropped out of the forthcoming election race to endorse fellow candidate Zalmai Rassoul.
Qayum Karzai told a press conference in Kabul that his team was "a key part of this new alliance."
President Karzai, who cannot run for office again, has said he would not publicly support any candidate.
There had been speculation Qayum Karzai would bow out in favor of Rassoul, a key ally of the current president, the BBC reported.
Zalmai Rassoul is a former foreign minister and a descendant of Afghanistan's royal family.
"From now on, both teams will fight for victory... and I'm sure with the blessing of God, and the support of the people, we will win," Rassoul is quoted as saying by AFP.
Qayum Karzai, a businessman who correspondents say had shown little interest in politics, was criticized for rarely attending parliament when he was elected for one term.
Eleven candidates will contest the Afghan presidency on 5 April, a race that comes in the year NATO combat forces withdraw from the country.
