The result left Karzai short of the 50 percent need to avoid a runoff.

CNN: Karzai rival prefers opposition to coalition

In the few short weeks since his election, Mr Karzai has come under fire from rival tribal groupings and from conservative Muslims who feel that he is liberalising too fast.

ECONOMIST: Fragile Afghanistan | The

It is unclear whether Mr Eikenberry's call to refrain from sending more troops is intended as a short-term tactic to increase pressure on Mr Karzai to make bolder reforms, or as an expression of the hopelessness of the Afghan venture.

ECONOMIST: America and Afghanistan