KABUL (PAN): Leader of the National Solidarity Movement Party Sayed Ishaq Gilani on Sunday announced his party's support to Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, a candidate for presidential slot in the August 20 elections.

Gilani made the announcement in his address to a gathering held here on Sunday. He said the current government was made by the US, therefore, his party announced its support to Dr. Abdullah. He said their decision to support Abdullah in the elections was carried out after a long discussion by executive council of the party and thoroughly studying the political situation of the country.

"We will stand behind Abdullah until the end of the contest," he added. Gilani alleged the current administration was run by a particular group and the president had been confined only to the Presidential Palace. "Currently, the Afghans are complaining against hunger, insecurity and house searches by the foreign troops and whoever becomes the next president should seriously tackle these problems, " he said.

He said the government has failed to honour its promises with the people over the past several years. He urged Abdullah to establish an administration which could be trusted by all the Afghans and make efforts to reconcile with Taliban and Hizb-i-Islami Afghanistan, in case he wins the elections.

The sitting member of the parliament, Sayed Ishaq Gilani, was a presidential candidate in the 2004 elections, but had withdrawn in favour of the incumbent Hamid Karzai.

Gilani said the National Solidarity Movement Party established in 2001 was a combination of 40 political and non-political organizations. Zubair Babakarkhil