Hours earlier,the 59-year-old self-made millionaire had backed away from earlier statements,and agreed to accept his bitter rival, as president of a transitional government.

VOA: standard.2009.11.08

But in his conciliatory mood Saturday, Mr.Ravalomanana suggested he would not object to a constitutional change that would allow his arch-rival to seek the presidency.

VOA: standard.2009.11.08

Clinton,in a talk with reporters here, said she has been involved in intensive telephone diplomacy with President Karzai and his main election rival, former Afghan foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, and is encouraged by what she has heard from the parties.

VOA: standard.2009.10.19

Mr.Ban welcomed President Hamid Karzai's announcement Tuesday that he would accept a runoff with his closest rival, Abdullah Abdullah, after the U.N.-backed audit of the August 20 vote found nearly a quarter of all votes were fraudulent and had to be thrown out.

VOA: standard.2009.10.20