United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon arrived in Kabul on Monday for talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai after his sole rival in a run-off election withdrew from the contest, a UN statement said.
"Secretary General Ban has now arrived in-country to express his solidarity with the men and women of the United Nations following last week's tragic events," said a statement, in reference to a deadly attack on a UN guesthouse.
"He will be meeting with President Karzai during the course of the day as well as with Dr Abdullah," it added.
Ban's visit comes a day after former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah announced that he would not participate in a presidential election run-off which is scheduled to take place on November 7, citing fears of fraud.