KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Abdullah Abdullah, a front-runner in April’s presidential race in Afghanistan, vowed Thursday to sign a security agreement with the United States within a month if he wins, echoing widespread Afghan fears that security will deteriorate even further if all international forces leave the country at the end of this year.

Abdullah, who was runner-up in the disputed 2009 election, criticized President Hamid Karzai for refusing sign the deal that would allow the U.S. and its allies to keep thousands of troops in Afghanistan after ending their 13-year combat mission.