Karzai Took Major Arm-Twisting to OK Runoff

US wants clean election, and could support a coalition government

(AP) - The US built pressure on Hamid Karzai yesterday, with both Barack Obama and John Kerry signaling that a troop increase could hinge on a successful runoff election, and that the Obama administration would be receptive to a power-sharing deal between Karzai and his chief rival. A coalition government could provide a critical internal check on Karzai, who's widely favored to win the runoff Nov. 7. More»

Runoff election looms as prez bows to pressure

(NEWSER) - Hamid Karzai will bow to international pressure and accept the results of a UN-backed recount of Afghanistan's presidential election, US and European officials tell the New York Times. The incumbent will publicly acknowledge he fell short of 50% of the first-round vote as early as today, setting the stage for a runoff ballot against Abdullah Abdullah. Under Afghanistan's constitution a runoff must be held within two weeks, but logistical difficulties and the onset of winter may keep the country's political future uncertain for months. More»

Abdullah wants interim government: 'Karzai's term is over'

(NEWSER) - Abdullah Abdullah, who came in second in the first round of Afghanistan's presidential election, is calling for an interim government to take over the country if it's too difficult or dangerous to organize a runoff in the coming weeks. The challenger to Hamid Karzai also rejected suggestions of a power-sharing deal, mooted in Washington lately, which Abdullah's spokesman called "against the law." Karzai is expected to concede that he did not win 50% of the vote later today. More»

(AP) - Hamid Karzai intends to announce tomorrow how he will "set the stage" for resolving the country's postelection political crisis, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said today. She wouldn't say whether the Afghan president has decided to accept the findings of a UN-backed fraud investigation that threw out nearly a third of Karzai's ballots from the disputed August election and set the stage for a runoff. More»

'Stunning' second ballot complicates Obama strategy

(NEWSER) - President Hamid Karzai's share of the vote in Afghanistan's presidential election has reportedly fallen to about 47% after an investigation into fraudulent ballots—meaning that he will face Abdullah Abdullah in a runoff if the result is finalized today. One Afghan official called the development "stunning," and a Karzai ally conceded that a runoff was likely. New ballots have already been printed, and the US and NATO want the vote to take place in early November to avoid the harsh Afghan winter. More»