British politician Paddy Ashdown today withdrew from the contest to be UN envoy for Afghanistan, saying he did not have enough support in the country.

"Last night I informed the secretary-general of the United Nations that I am withdrawing my name from consideration for the post of special representative of the secretary-general for Afghanistan," Mr Ashdown said in a statement.

"It is clear to me that, in Afghanistan at least, the support necessary to do the job effectively does not exist."

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