A group of 12 challengers to Afghan President Hamid Karzai in the country's first presidential election have threatened to boycott the poll unless he resigns.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai
Former education minister Mr Yunus Qanuni, regarded as strongest of the 17 candidates challenging Mr Karzai in the October 9th election, was among those demanding Mr Karzai step down to create a more level playing field.
"If by Wednesday Karzai and his cabinet do not resign, then we will consider boycotting the elections," candidate Mr Latif Pedram a news conference.
An interim council should be set up to run the country until an elected government can be formed, said Mr Pedram, flanked by fellow candidates including Mr Qanuni.
Mr Karzai holds an unfair advantage as the incumbent and is favoured by the international community because he has US backing, they said. Mr Karzai is away on an official visit to Pakistan.
The group accused the UN-Afghan Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB) of being biased in Karzai's favour.
Mr Qanuni resigned as education minister to comply with the election law.
He is backed by the current first vice-president and Defence Minister Mohammad Qasim Fahim, and announced his candidacy after Mr Karzai dropped Mr Fahim as a running mate.
Mr Qanuni and Mr Fahim are key members of the Northern Alliance that helped US-led troops to overthrow the Taliban militia in late 2001.
Mr Karzai's position was endorsed in 2002 by a vote by a Loya Jirga, a traditional grand council of tribal chieftains, and his term had been due to expire in June when elections had originally been scheduled.
However, a new constitution approved early this year allowed him to remain in office until an elected president takes over.