UNITED NATIONS, September 22. /ITAR-TASS/. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the conclusion of presidential elections in Afghanistan, won by Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, and the landmark agreement between the rival candidates to form a unity government.

“The new government will face serious challenges, and I urge the President-elect, the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, and all political actors in Afghanistan to quickly form the government of national unity,” the UN chief said in a statement on Sunday.

Prior to the announcement of the election results, which comes after months of wrangling after presidential polls in April and June, the candidates signed a deal under which Ashraf Ghani is named the president while his rival, Abdullah Abdullah, becomes a CEO with powers similar to those of prime minister.

The power-sharing deal “paves the way for a stable and more prosperous future for the country,” Ban said.

The audit, which has been unprecedented in its scale, depth and scrutiny, “has demonstrated that millions of Afghan men and women cast valid votes in the 14 June run-off,” the statement reads.

“I reiterate the support for Afghanistan expressed by the international community during the Security Council debate on 18 September. The United Nations remains committed to working closely with the new government of Afghanistan,” Ban concluded.

The UN Security Council confirmed readiness on Sunday to support Afghanistan on its way to democracy, and called on the new government to solve the challenges that the country is facing in the sphere of security and human rights, and to fight against corruption and drug production.

The run-off in Afghanistan’s presidential election was held on June 14. The two candidates - former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah and former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani, refused to recognize the outcome accusing each other of fraud. The rival candidates agreed in mid-July to an audit of disputable votes.