Top U.N. official in Afghanistan to leave

KABUL, Afghanistan, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- The top U.N. official in Afghanistan is stepping down and has asked that a search for his replacement begin, the international organization said.

Norwegian diplomat Kai Eide had a large hand in organizing Afghanistan's controversial presidential election in August and was accused of favoring President Hamid Karzai and failing prevent widespread ballot-stuffing, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

Eide has denied the bias accusation and said his decision to leave wasn't related to the disputed election. His departure occurs just a few months before his term was due to expire.

Dan McNorton, a U.N. spokesman in Kabul, said in a statement: "This is not a question of resignation. Kai Eide is sticking to the timetable that he outlined when he took the job in March 2008."

Concerning development efforts in Afghanistan, Eide said coalition partners must be coordinated in their approach.

"There is no other choice," Eide said. "We all have to change our mindset and be more geared toward a coordinated approach," he added, referring to assistance provided by the United Nations, NATO's International Security Assistance Force, the European Union and other partners.

A U.N. news release said Eide, in meetings with U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates in Afghanistan, stressed a focus on long-term, sustainable solutions instead of seeking quick fixes.

"This applies in particular to the building of civilian institutions and Afghanistan's economic growth," Eide said.