Gordon Brown has welcomed President Hamid Karzai's "statesmanlike" promise to hold a second ballot in Afghanistan's disputed presidential election.
The Prime Minister said in a statement that it was clear that there had been "flaws" in the election process and that it was now "vital" that the country's new government "had legitimacy in the eyes of its people".
He said: "I have consistently said that the election must be allowed to run its course and that all concerned should respect the process."
He continued: "There is no doubt that there have been flaws and we will need to apply the lessons of this process."
"President Karzai has ... made clear that due constitutional process must be followed, and that if the formal certified results require it, then a second ballot will be held.
"Let me commend his statesmanlike statement - and the international community too will join me in welcoming the leadership he has shown."
