Karzai to respect any run-off ruling: Official

President Hamid Karzai will respect any legal ruling on Afghanistan's run-off election and regrets his challenger Abdullah Abdullah's withdrawal from the contest, his office said today.

"We regret the announcement of Dr Abdullah to not participate in the second round of the elections," it said in a statement.

"In the light of Afghanistan's constitution and for the sake of democracy and rule of law in Afghanistan, we remain committed and bound to respect the process and will accept any decisions by the Independent Election Commission and other legal institutions."

Meanwhile, Abdullah said it was up to his supporters whether they decide to vote in Afghanistan's run-off election after he announced his withdrawal from the contest on Sunday.

"I leave the choice to my followers and sympathisers," Abdullah said at a press conference in Kabul, when asked whether he was instructing his followers to refrain from voting.

Abdullah also said there was no chance of him reversing his decision not to stand in the November 7 run-off poll against the incumbent Hamid Karzai.

"The decision is final. I will not run in the November 7 election. This is my decision. This decision has not been made in exchange for anything from anybody," he added.