“I congratulate President Karzai on this outcome,” Rasmussen said in a statement, referring to the decision of Afghanistan’s electoral commission to cancel a run-off poll after challenger Abdullah Abdullah withdrew from the race, effectively handing electoral victory to incumbent Karzai.

“NATO will continue to work in support of the Afghan government and the Afghan people to help them build a safer, more secure future, including by encouraging greater progress in improving governance and fighting corruption,” he said.

NATO leads a force of some 70,000 troops from 43 nations with the aim of building security and fostering reconstruction and development in Afghanistan, but its mission is being undermined by Taliban and Al-Qaeda-led insurgents.