Afghan presidential rivals at last reach unity deal after disputed vote

Afghan presidential candidate Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai speaks during a news conference in Kabul September 10, 2014. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail

KABUL (Reuters) - The rival candidates in Afghanistan's messy election for a new president finally struck a power-sharing deal on Saturday, aides said, after more than two months of tension over a vote in which each side accused the other of fraud.

The crisis has further destabilised Afghanistan just as the U.S.-led military coalition prepares to withdraw most foreign troops at the end in the year, leaving Afghan forces to fight the Taliban insurgency.