Afghans shun power-sharing

President Hamid Karzai and former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah ruled out a power-sharing deal before Afghanistan's November 7 runoff, saying the second round of balloting must be held as planned to bolster democracy in the war-ravaged country.

Both Afghan candidates said they were committed to a second-round vote, despite the huge security and logistical challenges and the threat of Taleban attacks against voters.

The Obama Administration is hoping the runoff will produce a legitimate government after massive ballot-rigging sullied the first-round vote.