Powerful Abdullah backer seeks deal with Karzai

KABUL (Reuters) - Incumbent Hamid Karzai must offer jobs to supporters of his main rival to avert a crisis if he claims a first-round victory in Afghanistan's presidential poll, a regional strongman backing Karzai's opponent said on Monday.

The issue of fraud has left political limbo in Afghanistan, where the Taliban-led insurgency is spreading despite an increasing number of NATO-led troops, now more than 100,000.

Afghanistan's U.N. backed watchdog is probing the complaints of fraud into the August 20 elections and once that is completed it will announce the final result, expected next week.

Preliminary results give Karzai 54.6 percent of the vote, more than the 50 percent he needs to avoid a second round against his main rival, former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah.

Karzai was backed by most of the country's powerful regional chieftains and former ethnic militia bosses.

One of the few exceptions was Atta Mohammad Noor, governor for the northern Balkh province, who backed Abdullah.

In a telephone interview, Atta said the level of fraud was "massive" and required a second round of voting.

"If (the fraud) is thoroughly, properly and realistically investigated, the legitimacy of the election will be completely put under question," he said.

"It is better that the election goes into a second round ... and if that does not happen, a national partnership (government) should be formed by taking into consideration the degree of influence of all," he added.

"All political allies of Dr. Abdullah should be given vast participation," he said, adding Abdullah himself was not seeking a post. Abdullah has repeatedly ruled out serving under Karzai in any coalition government.

Atta said Karzai's camp had made some overtures to Abdullah supporters, but did not give details.

His own preference would be to keep his governorship, which some have suggested he could lose for supporting Karzai's opponent. Afghan governors are appointed by the president.

Karzai, leader of Afghanistan since the Taliban's ouster in 2001 and the man who won the country's first ever presidential poll three years later, has conceded that some fraud took place, but says it was exaggerated by Western media and some officials.

Atta was a key commander in the alliance of Afghan factions that helped U.S. forces in toppling the Taliban government from power in 2001.

Western diplomats have criticized Karzai for relying so closely on the support of regional strongmen.

Atta's forces were involved for years in turf battles for control of the north, especially Balkh province. His main rival in the north, Uzbek leader Abdul Rashid Dostum, returned to the country days before the election to campaign for Karzai.

Ties between Karzai and the broad-shouldered Atta have been poor, with the Atta accusing the central government of being behind instability in the north, where Taliban fighters have spread attacks in recent months.

Atta said the increase in violence was partly due to Karzai promising government positions to Dostum.

"If the world, plus the ruling government, unilaterally announce (Karzai as the winner), we will reject the next government, it will have no legitimacy before us ... we will consult with our people (what to do)," he said.

"I think whether we call for it or not, ... Afghanistan will face crisis ... when a government through fraud and despotism comes. The situation will be worse than what the international community thinks today."

(Editing by Nick Macfie)