Abdullah says 'illegal' president not up to the job

AFGHAN president Hamid Karzai has come to power illegally and will not be able to rein in corruption or serve as a reliable partner in the fight against the Taleban, his main political opponent has said.

Dr Abdullah Abdullah, pictured, who gave up the chance to face Mr Karzai in an election run-off, said the Afghan government had squandered eight years of opportunity and the assistance of its western allies by failing to stop corruption or create a government that responded to the needs of the Afghan people.

"That government cannot bring legitimacy, cannot fight corruption," Dr Abdullah said, adding that it "cannot deal with all the challenges, especially the threat of terrorism, security problems, poverty, unemployment and many others".

However, Mr Karzai's spokesman said: "The new government the president has in mind is one that will have special places for experts, educated and professional people. It will have new figures and some of the old ministers who have done well."

Washington and London have expressed concern he would give prominent places to regional chieftains and former guerrilla leaders who backed him in the election.