Candidate spokesman: Afghan VP backs president’s rival in August election

Candidate spokesman: Afghan VP switches to rival

KABUL — A spokesman says Afghanistan’s vice president is breaking away from the president to join a competing ticket in August’s presidential election.

Gul Khalid Pushtoon, a lawmaker serving as spokesman for former warlord Gul Agha Sherzai, says First Vice President Ahmad Zia Masood will be Sherzai’s top deputy in his run against President Hamid Karzai. Pushtoon says they plan to file official papers on Saturday.

A government spokesman says he has not been informed of Masood’s decision but that the president would not attempt to block a move that would be within constitutional rights. Spokesmen for Masood could not immediately be reached for comment.