Karzai: I will remain impartial in Afghan presidential vote

Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Saturday that it would be "in the best interest" of the country if he did not declare his support for any candidate in next year's presidential elections. "I have respect for all the candidates and they all have their own qualities and contributions to Afghanistan," Karzai told reporters, according to dpa. Karzai's second tenure will end next year. The Afghan constitution bars him from running for a third term. There are reports that he supports Abdul Rab Rasoul Sayyaf, a former jihadi leader, who is reportedly preparing for the elections slated for April 5. "Sayyaf is a leader of jihad and has been in total support of the government in the past 10 years," Karzai said. "He has also been a good partner to the people of Afghanistan and the international community in the past 10 years." "But, I may have a very, very personal choice when I go to cast my ballot on the day of voting. But that would private to me and I will remain absolutely and totally committed to impartiality, because I consider that to be in the best interest of Afghanistan and of a fair process for elections."