Afghan presidential hopeful Abdullah Abdullah said he believes 2m votes cast for his rival in a June runoff poll were fraudulent and that the planned inauguration of a new leader in August should be delayed if more time is needed to audit ballot boxes rigorously.

The position places him at odds with the other contender, former World Bank technocrat Ashraf Ghani, and much of the international community, who claim the uncertainty stirred up by the months-long election process is costing the country's fragile economy dearly.

Pushing back the 2 August inauguration date could also threaten long-term military support from the US and other Nato countries after their combat mission ends this year. It is due to be replaced by a training mission and billions in financial support, but they can only be provided under a long-term cooperation deal that incumbent president, Hamid Karzai, has refused to sign, saying it is a decision for his successor.

"The international schedule is important, but it is more important that we do not sacrifice the rights of people in favour of a date," Abdullah said, after a day of meetings to try to defuse the standoff over results. "I don't think that people are waiting for the wrong solution."

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