A Downing Street spokesman said that during the phone call Mr Brown also welcomed President Karzai’s statesmanlike handling of events in recent days.

The Prime Minister spoke about his conversation with President Karzai in a statement to the House of Commons this afternoon:

'I have spoken to President Karzai and discussed the importance of moving quickly to set out a unity programme for the future of Afghanistan. Afghanistan now needs new and urgent measures for tackling corruption, strengthening local government and reaching out to all parts of Afghan society, and to give the Afghan people a real stake in their future. And President Karzai agreed with me Afghanistan now needs to strengthen its army and police numbers so over time we can reduce our troops.'

Dr Abdullah, Hamid Karzai’s main rival, pulled out of the second round of the Afghan presidential election on Sunday.

Notes for Editors

More about the Afghan elections

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