The Afghan general Abdul Rashid Dostum, a rival to President Hamid Karzai in the country's landmark election, has ended his boycott of the poll prompted by concerns over voting irregularities.
A spokesman said Dostum was now optimistic about the future government of Afghanistan and that it would be an inclusive one.
This followed a meeting with intermediaries in Kabul.
The decision means the boycott by 15 of 18 candidates is effectively over.
The three most serious rivals to frontrunner Karzai have now decided to recognise the outcome of country's first ever direct presidential vote.
