Afghanistan incumbent President Mr. Hamid Karzai has welcomed the preliminary results where he has secured majority votes saying the elections were a major achievement for the country. He also denied of major fraud during the elections saying foreign media and government were unduly critical of it. Addressing his first press conference after the August 20 elections in Kabul today, Mr. Karzai said he will accept the final results whatever be the outcome but hoped that complaints of fraud are investigated fairly and without prejudice. The President hoped Afghanistan’s foreign friends respect the people and let the Independent Election Commission and the Electoral Complaints Commission fulfil their work without prejudice. Mr. Karzai ruled out coalition government with his main opponent Dr. Abdullah but said anybody is welcome to work in his government for the betterment of his country. Earlier, Mr. Karzai has got 54.6 percent of the total votes in preliminary results for Presidential elections announced last evening. He crossed the majority 50 percent mark needed but the final results are dependent on outcome of hundreds of fraud complaints and recounting at around 10 percent of polling centres. Mr. Karzai’s closest rival Dr. Abdullah Abdullah has got 27.8 percent votes but has alleged of widespread fraud and called for second round of voting as a way out. Second round of elections are possible if complaints and recounting invalidate enough votes of Mr. Karzai to reduce his percentage below 50