Sayyaf lends his weight to Karzai 21/7/09

		Sayyaf lends his weight to Karzai 21/7/09
L'appoggio al candidato Karazi del leader mujaheddin, legato ai sauditi, Abdul Rasul Sayyaf , signore di Paghman. Karzai si assicura così anche l'appoggio del Daawat-i-Islami Afghanistan (DIA) Source: Pajhwok
postato il	21 Luglio 2009	news
Sayyaf lends his weight to Karzai Pajhwok By Zubair Babakarkhel & Ahmed Shah Saber 07/20/2009 KABUL A former jihadi commander Abdur Rab Rasul Sayyaf and thousands of others Sunday voiced support for President Hamid Karzai's reelection bid. At a special gathering held in the tent of the traditional Loya Jirga, the Daawat-i-Islami Afghanistan (DIA) leader said he decided to back Karzai after analysing the situation that prevailed in Afghanistan over the last seven years. "We prefer Karzai over all the presidential hopefuls on the basis of his merits. But this doesn't mean we are against the other candidates," the parliamentarian added. More than 2,500 DIA workers participated in Sunday's gathering in support of the incumbent president, who has received similar assurances from other legislators, tribal elders and political groups. At a separate meeting, thousands of Yusufzai tribesmen in Kabul supported a key challenger to Karzai, Mirwais Yasini, in the August polls. Miralikhel and Gadaikhel tribesmen also attend the gathering at the Marco-Polo Hotel. Haji Akbar and Eng. Muhammad Qasim spoke on behalf of Yusufzai tribes and announced supporting Yasini in the polls. Haji Akbar assured all members of the tribe would be voting for Yasini. In the southwestern Nimroz province, tribal elders and common residents pledged support to Abdul Ghafoor Zori, another aspirant of the presidential slot. Zori went to the lawless province and met locals and religious scholars. At a gathering, the candidate promised, if elected, he would bring positive changes to the administration to address common concerns including lawlessness and poverty in the country. "Zori would ensure rebuilding of Afghanistan and he realises the pain of mujahidin's families. He lost six family members to the war against Soviet Union," recalled Haji Bahadur, one of the participants. Hundreds of residents accompanied Zori to provincial capital, Zaranj, after according him a rousing welcoming upon his arrival at the airport. Beginning on June 17, electioneering for the upcoming polls will end 48 hours before the Election Day. As many as 41 candidates are in the run for the top office.