KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Representatives of a powerful former Pashtun warlord said Tuesday that he endorsed the front runner in Afghanistan’s coming presidential runoff election.

The announcement by those representing Abdul Rasoul Sayyaf came during a campaign rally for front runner and former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah at a wedding hall in the Afghan capital, Kabul. In a speech, Abdullah thanked Sayyaf, who didn’t attend, for his support and promised to make up for time lost after the 2001 U.S.-led invasion that ousted the Taliban.