Former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Ashdown announced that he has withdrawn from consideration for the post of UN envoy to Afghanistan.
The move comes after the Afghan ambassador said that while Lord Ashdown was held in high regard, he was not Kabul's preferred candidate.
Zahir Tanin said Afghanistan's choice would be General John McColl, Nato's deputy commander in Europe.
In a statement, Lord Ashdown said: "This job can only be done successfully on the basis of a consensus within the international community and the clear support of the Government of Afghanistan.
"It is clear to me that, in Afghanistan at least, the support necessary to do the job effectively does not exist.
"I have therefore reluctantly decided to withdraw my name from consideration for this position."
