Karzai pledges inclusive government

Re-elected Afghan President Hamid Karzai vowed yesterday to form an inclusive government after stern warnings from western supporters he would have to work harder to root out corruption.

Afghan election officials on Monday cancelled a needless presidential run-off vote after Mr Karzai's rival, former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah, withdrew, citing serious concerns about the election.

The outcome leaves Washington and other western supporters to work with a partner whose legitimacy has been questioned, while President Karzai himself faces a newly strengthened opposition.

Mr Karzai's return removes at least one obstacle as US President Barack Obama weighs whether to send up to 40,000 more troops to Afghanistan, where violence this year reached its worst levels since the Taliban were overthrown in 2001.