US warns against power grab in Afghanistan
Iran Press TV
Tue Jul 8, 2014 7:4AM GMT
US Secretary of State John Kerry says any action to seize power through means other than the legal channels in Afghanistan will lead to an end to the US financial and security support for the country.
Kerry, in a statement on Tuesday, cautioned against any power grab in Afghanistan and called for a full review of alleged irregularities in the country's presidential run-off vote.
"I have noted reports of protests in Afghanistan and of suggestions of a 'parallel government' with the gravest concern," Kerry said, adding, "Any action to take power by extra-legal means will cost Afghanistan the financial and security support of the United States and the international community."
The remarks by Kerry come after Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah rejected the results of last month's presidential run-off. Abdullah's campaign team said on Monday that the initial results of the vote, released earlier in the day, are unacceptable and fraudulent.
Based on early results, former World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani has won the June 14 poll with over fifty six percent of the votes. But his rival, Abdullah, has rejected the outcome, calling it a coup. Meanwhile, electoral officials say the tally might change when the final results come out on July 22.
The winner of the election will succeed outgoing President Hamid Karzai, who has been in power since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.
HRM/HJL/HRB
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