Abdullah rules out joining new Afghan government

By Sayed Salahuddin

KABUL (Reuters) - Technocrats and some existing ministers will be appointed to Afghan President Hamid Karzai's new government, a spokesman said on Wednesday, but his main rival branded his re-election illegal and ruled out taking any part.

Karzai, returned to power after a needless presidential run-off vote was abandoned on Monday, is under pressure from his Western backers to root out the corruption that tainted his previous administration, with a top U.S. military official saying he should prosecute wrongdoers to shore up his legitimacy.

The run-off, triggered after widespread fraud marred the first round in August, was canceled after Karzai's only rival, former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah, withdrew citing serious concerns about the vote.

That decision came after weeks of political uncertainty, while U.S. President Obama also weighs whether to send up to 40,000 more troops to fight a resurgent Taliban, who had threatened to disrupt the poll and branded Karzai's return as a farce.

Karzai has committed himself to an inclusive government, but Abdullah ruled out taking any part despite pressure for a power-sharing deal.

"I have no interest in the future cabinet of Karzai's government and I will pursue my agenda, which is change," Abdullah told a news conference at his Kabul home.

Abdullah said the government-appointed Independent Election Commission's (IEC) decision to cancel the November 7 run-off was illegal and said Karzai would not be able to deliver reform.

"A government which is derived from such an illegal decision will not be able to deliver," Abdullah said in his first public comments since the IEC's decision.

BRITISH TROOPS SHOT

An Afghan policeman shot dead five British soldiers at a checkpoint in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday, the British Ministry of Defense said, underlining security concerns and certain to fuel debate in Britain about its presence.

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan said six British troops and two Afghan police were also wounded. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the Taliban may have infiltrated the police.

A spokesman for the Taliban said the policeman was a member.

"It's a new Taliban tactic, we have more Taliban who have infiltrated into the police and army," Taliban spokesman Qari Mohammad Yousuf said.

The flawed electoral process and climbing death tolls have undermined support for the war in the United States, Britain and other Western countries with troops in Afghanistan. Western leaders say they expect Karzai to root out corruption and appoint more competent and credible figures to his new government.

"The government the president has in mind is one that will have special places for experts, educated and professional people," Karzai spokesman Siyamak Herawi told Reuters.