Security Council tells Karzai he must fight corruption

THE UN Security Council today joined calls on Afghan president Hamid Karzai to fight corruption, with secretary-general Ban Ki-moon calling the country's political situation "delicate".

In a tepid statement, the Council "acknowledged" – rather than welcomed – the conclusion of the presidential electoral process where Mr Karzai was declared the winner after challenger Abdullah Abdullah withdrew from a run-off race, saying it could not be free or fair.

On Wednesday Dr Abdullah called Mr Karzai's victory illegal and his government a failure, saying the president's tainted administration would not be able to check corruption or fend off the Taleban.

Mr Ban acknowledged there were problems with the elections, following a closed-door meeting with the Security Council on his recent trip to Afghanistan.

"It is obvious that the political situation remains delicate," Mr Ban said. "Clearly, the recent elections were seriously flawed."