Afghanistan

Afghan President Hamid Karzai's main political rival says the president's re-election was illegal and will undermine his ability to combat corruption. Former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah withdrew days ago from a second-round runoff vote because of concerns over fraud. On Nov. 3, he said the election commission that canceled the runoff vote and awarded Karzai another five-year term did not have the legal authority to do so. Abdullah told reporters in Kabul that a government installed under such circumstances cannot be expected to fight corruption or deal with the many other challenges facing Afghanistan. He said he has no plans to form a coalition with Karzai and would urge his supporters to maintain peaceful opposition. (VOA)