Barack Obama Tells Afghan Candidates Violence Would End US Aid

Washington: US President Barack Obama warned the two candidates in Afghanistan's disputed presidential election that violence or taking "extra-constitutional means" would result in him stopping US assistance to the war-torn country, the White House said on Tuesday.

In phone calls to Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, Obama "stressed that the United States expects a thorough review of all reasonable allegations of fraud to ensure a credible electoral process," the White House said in a statement.

"He reiterated that all parties should avoid steps that undermine Afghan national unity and should come together to work toward a resolution that represents the will of the Afghan people and produces a government that can bring Afghanistan together.

"He also noted that there is no justification for resorting to violent or extra-constitutional means, which would result in the end of US assistance to Afghanistan."

The calls, to Ghani on Tuesday and Abdullah on Monday night, came as the latter claimed victory, blaming fraud for putting him behind in preliminary results, as fears rise of instability and ethnic unrest in Afghanistan.