Afghan President Karzai says he won't seek a third term

2011-08-12 05:11:01 GMT+7 (ICT)

KABUL (BNO NEWS) – Hamid Karzai on Thursday said he will not seek a third term as president of war-torn Afghanistan, saying it would not be in the best interest of the country.

Karzai has been in power for nearly a decade since the Taliban regime was removed in late 2001 as a result of the U.S.-led invasion. He was initially chosen to serve as Chairman of the Interim Administration and, in December 2004, elected to serve a five-year term as president.

His second tenure began in November 2009 after he was re-elected in late August with 49.67 percent of the vote, although these results have been criticized in both Afghanistan and abroad as being marred by widespread fraud.

"The constitution of Afghanistan does not allow the president to run for a third time," Karzai said in a press statement. He said he does not intend to find a way to run for a third time because it would not be in the best interest of the country.

The statement was issued in response to allegations from Afghan lawmakers who claimed Karzai would abuse his authority to enable himself to run for a third time. But Karzai said he would personally see it as a major success if someone else is elected who is acceptable to all Afghans.

Karzai's second term ends in late 2014.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-08-12

He obviously can't fit anymore US $$$ in his pockets so it is time for him to kick back and spend it all. Will be interesting to see if he will remain in the shithole that is Afghanistan or move to a country where the weather and surroundings are more favourable for the rich.

He obviously can't fit anymore US $$ in his pockets so it is time for him to kick back and spend it all. Will be interesting to see if he will remain in the shithole that is Afghanistan or move to a country where the weather and surroundings are more favourable for the rich.

Ditto.

With US troop withdrawal set for the end of 2014, I guess Karsai can see the writing on the wall

He should be setting a good example for other leaders in the region. Grab as much loot as you can and leave for greener pastures is certainly better than holding on to power for 30-40 years.