Afghan election contender Abdullah Abdullah on Thursday congratulated President-elect Ashraf Ghani on his victory and vowed to support him in a national unity government.

Afghan election contender Abdullah Abdullah on Thursday congratulated President-elect Ashraf Ghani on his victory and vowed to support him in a national unity government.
  
Election officials on Sunday named Ghani as the winner, but declined to release the margin of victory or the turnout -- triggering accusations that the result lacked transparency.
  
Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah struck an agreement Sunday to form a "unity government", after months of disputes over who was the rightful winner of the fraud-tainted June 14 presidential election.
  
In the "national unity government", Ghani will become president and Abdullah will serve as chief executive -- a new role similar to prime minister. "I want to congratulate Dr. Ashraf Ghani the future president of Afghanistan and thank him for his stance on the political deal for creating a national unity government," Abdullah said addressing a big gathering of his supporters.
  
"The political deal that results in the creation of the national unity government is the best alternative and best choice for the people of Afghanistan," he said. "If you see the current situation of Afghanistan, there is no better alternative," he said. "This national unity team, God willing... will join hands and cooperate" he added.