The Times
James Bone in New York and Jerome Starkey in Kabul

The UN Secretary-General has supported his top representative in Afghanistan who clashed with his American deputy over election fraud.

Ban Ki Moon sided with Kai Eide, the Norwegian who runs the UN mission in Afghanistan, after a public disagreement with Peter Galbraith. “I would like to reiterate my continued full support and confidence in Kai Eide,” Mr Ban said in New York.

Mr Galbraith left Afghanistan on Sunday because of differences with Mr Eide over the recount. Diplomats said Mr Galbraith wanted to annul the votes from 1,000 of the 25,000 polling places and recount ballots at 5,000 more — likely to deny Hamid Karzai the 50 per cent tally he needs for a first-round victory. Mr Eide backs a more modest recount of 1,000 polling stations that would effectively grant Mr Karzai a first-round win.

Mr Eide and Mr Galbraith are due to brief the UN Security Council on September 29. Diplomats say, however, that it is unlikely Mr Galbraith will return to his UN post. (Read more)