Kabul, Aug 31(UNI) Abdullah Abdullah, the chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, on Monday made clear his opposition to President Ashraf Ghani’s decree which listed members of the council, arguing that according to the political agreement only the head of the council is authorised to appoint its members.
Quoting the agreement signed in May Abdullah said, “The head of the High Council of National Reconciliation forms the council in consultation with the president, sides and political leaders, speakers of the houses of parliament, the civil society and elites of the country”, TOLOnews reported.

Therefore, Abdullah said, there is no need for a presidential decree on the formation of the council, and the selection of members falls under the authority of the head of the High Council for National Reconciliation.

He said the council's structure should be inclusive and representative of the entire the nation, and that consultation with political-civil movements has already begun.

Ghani in a decree on Sunday appointed 46 members for the High Council for National Reconciliation, including high-ranking government officials, prominent politicians, women and former mujahideen leaders.

The move, however, faced a backlash from some whose names were on the list, and by others for being left off the list.
Politicians such as former president Hamid Karzai, former foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani and Hizb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar rejected their membership in the council.
The council has 10 members in leadership positions.
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