Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah claims victory

KABUL, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah on Monday claimed victory in the lingering presidential elections and also said the political process for the formation of a national unity government has faced deadlock.

"The fraud committed in the election process has caused deadlock. I would continue to defend the right of the people and the votes they cast in and would never accept the fraud-marred election results," Abdullah said in a public meeting attended by hundreds of his supporters.

He also insisted that he is the winner of the presidential runoff elections held on June 14 if the genuine votes had been separated from the fake one.

"Based on the genuine votes cast in the election process, I am the winner," Abdullah said, adding a transparent and fair election is the foundation for durable peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Abdullah said that he is against violence but would defend his right and the right of those voted in his favor through civilized way.

Presidential hopeful Abdullah also added that talks with his opponent Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai for the formation of a national unity government have faced standoff.