The Netherlands and Denmark today announced a block on sending more troops to Afghanistan unless its election run-off creates a legitimate government and until President Barack Obama decides on a new strategy.

THE main challenger to President Hamid Karzai yesterday urged action to prevent a repeat of massive fraud that compromised Afghanistan’s elections as officials warned the run-off faced major challenges.

The top UN official in Afghanistan acknowledged “widespread fraud” in the disputed presidential election and rejected allegations from a former deputy that he covered up cheating to smooth the path to victory for President Hamid Karzai.

THE top UN official in Afghanistan acknowledged yesterday there was “widespread fraud” in the August presidential election, responding to allegations by a former deputy that he had tried to downplay charges of ballot-stuffing by supporters of the incumbent.

A top American official at the United Nations mission in Afghanistan has temporarily left the country following a disagreement with his boss over how to respond to the massive allegations of vote fraud in the August 20 presidential election, officials said today.

A remote-controlled bomb targeting a police convoy killed 12 people today in western Afghanistan, a day after three American soldiers died in a complex militant ambush in the country’s east.

The top United Nations official in Afghanistan called today for talks with Taliban leaders at the highest level, another indication that parts of the international community are reaching out to the radical Islamist movement.

Police and NATO-led peacekeepers are investigating three blasts that rocked the centre of Kosovo's capital, Pristina, overnight, near buildings occupied by the UN and the provincial government.