KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry ratcheted up the pressure on Afghanistan’s rival presidential contenders to reach a compromise on a national unity government, reminding them that Washington and the international community will withdraw financial support if they fail to strike a deal, a campaign official said Thursday.

Kerry, who brokered an agreement last month committing the two Afghan candidates to accept the results of an internationally monitored recount, has taken a leading role in trying to resolve the standoff over the drawn-out election between Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai. Ballots were first cast in April and again in a June runoff, but no winner has been decided amid contentious talks over a power-sharing deal.