Abdullah exit won't affect U.S. strategy: officials

By Sayed Salahuddin and Caren Bohan

KABUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Afghan presidential challenger Abdullah Abdullah's decision to quit an election run-off will not complicate President Barack Obama's deliberations on war strategy, senior U.S. officials said.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made clear the Obama administration will work with Afghan President Hamid Karzai should he remain Afghanistan's leader, as seems all but certain.

"It is now a matter for the Afghan authorities to decide on a way ahead that brings this electoral process to a conclusion in line with the Afghan constitution," Clinton said in a statement e-mailed to reporters on Sunday while travelling in Morocco.

"We will support the next president and the people of Afghanistan, who seek and deserve a better future."

As Obama weighs whether to approve a request from his top commander in Afghanistan for a 40,000 increase in U.S. troops, Abdullah's exit from the Nov. 7 vote threatened to raise doubts about the legitimacy of Karzai's government.

The Afghanistan war has become unpopular with the American public, with violence at the worst levels since U.S.-backed Afghan forces ousted the Taliban in 2001.

Many of Obama's Democratic allies in Congress are wary of a troop increase, while Republicans accuse him of dragging out the deliberations over strategy. Some question whether Washington has a credible partner to work with in the Afghan government.

Karzai's camp ruled out a coalition with Abdullah, dashing hopes of a way out of the impasse.