Taliban claims Afghan election cancellation as victory

The Taliban has claimed the cancelled election run-off in Afghanistan proves their efforts to derail the vote with threats and attacks were successful.

The Islamist militant group issued a statement today ahead of a speech by President Hamid Karzai on his recently declared victory.

The first round was marred by fraud and Mr Karzai won a run-off vote by default after his only challenger dropped out saying that the election could not be free or fair.

According to a statement posted online by the Taliban, "Our brave mujahidin were able to disrupt the entire process".

The Taliban said its recent attack on a guest house filled with UN election workers showed that "even they are not safe in Kabul".