Karzai's Brother May Run For Afghan Presidency

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – Afghan President Hamid Karzai's elder brother, Abdul Qayum Karzai, is apparently planning to enter the race to be elected Afghanistan's next president.

Speaking to RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan, Mahmud Karzai, another elder brother of the Afghan president, confirmed that Qayum Karzai was preparing to contest the next Afghan presidential election, due in 2014.

Mahmud Karzai said President Karzai has so far not indicated whether he will support his brother's candidacy.

There has been no announcement yet from Qayum Karzai on whether he will seek the presidency.

President Karzai cannot run for a third term after his current term ends in 2014.

Qayum, 55, resigned from Afghanistan's parliament in 2008, citing poor health.

He has reportedly been involved in back-channel peace diplomacy with the Taliban through Saudi Arabia.