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TV debate for Afghan contenders TV debate for Afghan contenders
(about 4 hours later)
Afghan television is set to broadcast a debate between presidential candidates, despite the withdrawal from the debate of President Hamid Karzai. Afghan television has broadcast a debate between presidential candidates, despite the withdrawal of President Hamid Karzai from the event.
He pulled out of the debate to be aired on the private television channel Tolo after his advisors told him it would be biased against him. He pulled out of the debate which was aired on the private television channel Tolo after his advisers told him it would be biased against him.
Correspondents say that leaves the stage free for his top two challengers to talk between themselves. Mr Karzai is one of 41 candidates contesting the election - the first since 2004.
The election is due to be held amid tight security on 20 August. The poll is due to be held amid tight security on 20 August.
Doubts 'Little effect'
The debate was scheduled to take place between President Karzai, former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah and former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani. The debate began 20 minutes behind schedule, with Mr Karzai's empty lectern standing in the centre of the stage.
There are 41 candidates standing in the forthcoming elections. The event went ahead with the president's two main opponents - former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah and former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani - laying out their plans.
Although Tolo is the country's most-watched television channel, correspondents say that the overwhelming majority of Afghans do not have access to television and the outcome of the election is much more likely to be determined by deals with regional power brokers.Although Tolo is the country's most-watched television channel, correspondents say that the overwhelming majority of Afghans do not have access to television and the outcome of the election is much more likely to be determined by deals with regional power brokers.
FROM BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World ServiceFROM BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service
But following President Karzai's decision to withdraw with barely 24 hours to go, an aide to Mr Abdullah has also said he might not participate.
Mr Ghani, a former top World Bank official, has repeatedly called on the president to hold a debate.Mr Ghani, a former top World Bank official, has repeatedly called on the president to hold a debate.
"It is the Afghan public that will suffer another broken promise, not any presidential candidate, if the future plans of each candidate is not made clear standing side-by-side his/her rival," he said on his website this week."It is the Afghan public that will suffer another broken promise, not any presidential candidate, if the future plans of each candidate is not made clear standing side-by-side his/her rival," he said on his website this week.
Mr Karzai's campaign team said that he would not take part because the majority of the 41 candidates in the election campaign had not been invited. Mr Karzai's campaign team said that he would not take part because the majority of the candidates in the election campaign had not been invited.
His team said it only received its invitation take part only one day before the debate.His team said it only received its invitation take part only one day before the debate.
Under the country's constitution, the vote should have been held in May, but the deteriorating security situation prompted a postponement until August.Under the country's constitution, the vote should have been held in May, but the deteriorating security situation prompted a postponement until August.
The delay came as little surprise to many observers. Large parts of the south and east are considered too unsafe for a free and fair vote.The delay came as little surprise to many observers. Large parts of the south and east are considered too unsafe for a free and fair vote.
Thousands of extra US troops are due to be sent to help improve security.Thousands of extra US troops are due to be sent to help improve security.