Karzai brother quits Afghan poll

The brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai has dropped out of the forthcoming election race to endorse fellow candidate Zalmai Rassoul. Qayum Karzai told a press conference in Kabul that his team was "a key part of this new alliance". President Karzai, who cannot run for office again, has said he would not publicly support any candidate. There had been speculation Qayum Karzai would bow out in favour of Mr Rassoul, a key ally of the current president. Zalmai Rassoul is a former foreign minister and a descendant of Afghanistan's royal family, according to BBC.