Afghanistan's interim President Hamid Karzai holds a sizable early lead in the race to become the country's first directly elected leader.
With almost 12 percent of the total votes counted Sunday from the Oct. 9 election, Mr. Karzai remains in first place with 60 percent of the ballot. His closest competitor, former education minister Yunus Qanuni, has 19 percent. Final results are not expected until late this month.

Although voting was largely peaceful, there has been some violence since the voting ended.

U.S. military officials reported that a land mine killed two soldiers Thursday in southern Uruzgan province. Afghan officials say an explosion in eastern Kunar province left at least five people dead, including three children.



Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.