Afghan president registers to contest coming presidential elections

KABUL -- Afghan incumbent President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Sunday registered with the election commission to contest the presidential elections slated for July 20.

"Our objective is to have a strong government, a strong government can overcome prolonged 40 years old crisis and can ensure justice in society to stabilize peace and security," the president said in his speech after registering his name, broadcast live by local television Tolonews.

A total of 14 politicians including government Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, former national security advisor Mohammad Hanif Atmar and former warlord and leader of his own faction Islamic party the Hizb-e-Islami Gulbudin Hekmatyar will also run for the presidential elections.