The leader of the Islamic Party in Afghanistan, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, announced his candidacy for the presidential elections due in July, more than two years after signing a peace agreement with the Kabul government.
"The situation of our country today requires a strong central government led by an elected president backed by the majority of the people," Hekmatyar told a news conference after presenting his candidacy papers at the Independent Electoral Commission in Kabul on Saturday. He said he did not prefer forming alliances with other parties.
He added that the current government failed to end the fighting with the Taliban, and pledged to restore peace and security in Afghanistan.
Hekmatyar's candidacy represents a new challenge for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who has been allowed to return from his exile, where he spent 20 years after being ousted by the Taliban.
The Islamic Party has fought the Afghan government since 1992, and in September 2016 a peace agreement with President Ghani was signed. Hekmatyar returned from his exile in Pakistan and his party entered the political process.
On the other hand, Afghan Interior Minister Ammarullah Saleh submitted his resignation today to run for vice president, Al Jazeera correspondent quoted a government spokesman as saying.
A source at the presidential palace said the order of Allah Saleh would be part of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's team. Saleh was appointed interior minister a month ago.
President Ghani is expected to present his candidacy for a second term on Sunday. Ghani won the 2014 election and was accused of widespread fraud.
The July election faces security challenges as the Taliban control large parts of the country. The movement continues to refuse to negotiate directly with the Afghan government, and insists that it will only negotiate with the United States.