Afghan Election Canceled, Karzai Named President KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (Associated Press) -

The United States and its allies have congratulated President Hamid Karzai on winning a second term following a proclamation by the country's election commission.

The Monday ruling ends a two-and-a-half month ordeal wrought with fraud, back-room negotiations and worries that the Afghan government might never regain credibility.

The U.S. embassy said in a statement that it looked forward to working with Karzai to support reform and improve security.

The statement said the commission's decision, made after Karzai's lone challenger withdrew, was "according to its mandate under Afghan law."

The British government and the United Nations also issued statements of congratulations.
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