France welcomes Afghan presidential runoff

PARIS, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- French President Sarkozy expressed Tuesday welcome and congratulation to Afghan president's decision of launching a runoff for presidential election, as the previous round was surrounded by doubts of fraud.

"The declaration of President Karzai shows that he is a political person, who can distinguish the essentials from the superior state interests and the unity of Afghan people. French president warmly welcomes his decision," the Elysee Palace said in a statement.

During the previous election, Afghan President Hamid Karzai bagged a majority of support, and his rival Abdullah Abdullah also gained massive support, so that the final choice now belongs to the Afghan people, the statement said.

Afghanistan held its second presidential elections in mid-August. However, widespread fraud allegation halted the election body to final result.

Afghan Independent Election Commission spokesman Noor Mohammad Noor said on Tuesday the presidential election would go for a runoff on Nov. 7.