US warns against 'power grab' in Afghan poll dispute

The US has warned against a power grab in Afghanistan, amid reports that a losing presidential-election candidate is planning a "parallel government".

US Secretary of State John Kerry said Afghanistan risks losing "financial and security support" if anyone tries to "take power by extra-legal means".

Presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah has contested election results giving a lead to rival Ashraf Ghani.

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.

Mr Abdullah is expected to speak in Kabul later on Tuesday.

His supporters have said they expect him to announce a "parallel government".

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.

A BBC Persian correspondent at a meeting organised by Mr Abdullah's supporters says an angry crowd has torn down a poster of outgoing Afghan President Hamid Karzai, chanting, "Death to Karzai. Long Live Abdullah".


Credit: The BBC