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Afghan poll crisis: Defiant Abdullah claims victory Afghan poll crisis: Defiant Abdullah claims victory
(35 minutes later)
Afghan presidential contender Abdullah Abdullah has claimed victory in last month's poll, despite results giving a lead to his rival, Ashraf Ghani.Afghan presidential contender Abdullah Abdullah has claimed victory in last month's poll, despite results giving a lead to his rival, Ashraf Ghani.
Addressing supporters in Kabul, Mr Abdullah repeated claims that the election process was marred by fraud.Addressing supporters in Kabul, Mr Abdullah repeated claims that the election process was marred by fraud.
US Secretary of State John Kerry had earlier warned against a power grab, amid reports that Mr Abdullah was planning a "parallel government".US Secretary of State John Kerry had earlier warned against a power grab, amid reports that Mr Abdullah was planning a "parallel government".
Meanwhile, a bomb near Kabul has killed 16 people, including four Nato troops.Meanwhile, a bomb near Kabul has killed 16 people, including four Nato troops.
Ten civilians and two police officers were also reportedly killed in the attack on a clinic near Bagram, home to the largest US base in the country.Ten civilians and two police officers were also reportedly killed in the attack on a clinic near Bagram, home to the largest US base in the country.
At the scene: BBC correspondent Harun NajafizadaAt the scene: BBC correspondent Harun Najafizada
I am at the hall where Abdullah Abdullah is speaking. People here are angry: a crowd chanting in rage has just torn down a poster of President Hamid Karzai, chanting "Death to Karzai. Long live Abdullah". I am at the hall where Abdullah Abdullah has been speaking. People here are angry: a crowd chanting in rage has torn down a poster of President Hamid Karzai, chanting, "Death to Karzai. Long live Abdullah".
They are appalled and shocked at the election results. They believe that massive fraud has happened while President Karzai, the election commission and Ashraf Ghani stood by. They are appalled at the election results. They believe that massive fraud has happened while President Karzai, the election commission and Ashraf Ghani stood by.
So the Abdullah camp have decided to take things into their own hands and he appears to have some support. In the past 24 hours, several influential figures - governors, district leaders, mayors, and warlords - have come out in his favour. But Afghanistan is a divided country - Ghani and Abdullah both command a lot of support. So the Abdullah camp have decided to take things into their own hands and he appears to have some support. In the past 24 hours, several influential figures - governors, district leaders, mayors, and warlords - have come out in his favour. But Afghanistan is a divided country - Mr Ghani and Mr Abdullah both command a lot of support.
Analysts will be very worried. They know that what has been suggested - a parallel government - could affect Afghanistan's stability, economy, security and its relations with the international community. The army across the country is such a divided force that it is difficult to know how it might respond. Analysts will be very worried. They know that what has been suggested - a parallel government - could affect Afghanistan's stability, economy, security and its relations with the international community. The army across the country is such a divided force that it is difficult to know how it might respond. Everybody recognises this has the making of an electoral crisis.
Mr Abdullah told the gathering in Kabul that he would never "accept a fraudulent government".Mr Abdullah told the gathering in Kabul that he would never "accept a fraudulent government".
"We are the winners of this round of elections, without any doubt," he said, to cheers from the crowd."We are the winners of this round of elections, without any doubt," he said, to cheers from the crowd.
However, he stopped short of declaring a parallel government as his supporters had earlier suggested he might. Instead, he called for a unified country.
"We don't want civil war, we don't want a crisis," he said. "We want stability, national unity, not division."
Preliminary results announced on Monday gave Mr Ghani 56.44% of votes in the 14 June run-off.Preliminary results announced on Monday gave Mr Ghani 56.44% of votes in the 14 June run-off.
Mr Abdullah, who fell just short of an outright majority in the first round, had 43.56%.Mr Abdullah, who fell just short of an outright majority in the first round, had 43.56%.
Both men have alleged fraud in the election. Votes are being re-checked at more than 7,000 polling stations. Both men have alleged fraud in the election. Votes are being re-checked at nearly a third of polling stations - more than 7,000.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said Afghanistan risked losing security and aid support if anyone tried to "take power by extra-legal means". Correspondents say recounts could significantly alter the final result, due on 22 July.
The BBC's Karen Allen says that the next few days could be critical for a historic transition in Afghanistan, where political differences are often expressed in ethnic terms. Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Kerry said Afghanistan risked losing security and aid support if anyone tried to "take power by extra-legal means".
He is expected to travel to Afghanistan on Friday.