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Taliban fighters killed

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The Associated Press

Published: July 26, 2009

KABUL - Less than a month before Afghanistan's presidential election, Taliban fighters wearing suicide vests attacked a provincial capital Saturday, triggering gunbattles that killed seven militants.

U.S. envoy Richard Holbrooke said it is "extraordinary" to hold a presidential election during a war.

U.S. and NATO forces have stepped up operations in hopes of ensuring enough security for a strong voter turnout for Afghanistan's Aug. 20 presidential election.

Although recent Taliban attacks have not killed large numbers of Afghan or U.S. security forces, they show a tenuous security situation in Afghanistan's countryside.

Holbrooke met separately with President Hamid Karzai and his top two challengers - former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah and former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani.

Abdullah told Holbrooke that he is struggling to fight Karzai's built-in advantage as president with government assets at his disposal.

Karzai is considered the favorite to win the presidency but must win more than 50 percent on Aug. 20 to avoid a run-off.

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