Afghanistan's national security adviser resigns in break with president

FILE PHOTO: Afghan national security adviser Hanif Atmar (R) and U.S. Ambassador James Cunningham sign the bilateral security agreement in Kabul September 30, 2014. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghanistan's national security adviser, one of the most influential aides to President Ashraf Ghani, resigned on Saturday, a move one official said could be followed by his own bid for the top job in next year's scheduled election.

Hanif Atmar's resignation was accepted by Ghani, presidential spokesman Haroon Chakhansuri told Reuters.