Karzai Agrees to Postpone Elections Until August

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has accepted the recommendation of an independent election commission and will delay the country’s national elections until August out of concern for security and fairness, the Washington Post reports. Karzai's term expires in May, and what will happen in the interim between then and August remains unclear.

“I am willing to accept either the constitution or a national consensus,” Karzai said. “If I continue in office, it should be legal.” Karzai added that he would run for re-election in August only if “my candidacy makes people happy.” His opponents do not wish another Karzai term. He should “be replaced by a neutral person,” a presidential candidate said. “We need to be discussing who will replace him, not whether." (More Hamid Karzai stories.)