AFGHAN President Hamid Karzai could imperil the future stability of his country and become an international pariah unless he curbs his outspoken criticism of Western backers, observers say.

Karzai’s increasingly strained relationship with the West has deteriorated over a series of outbursts in which he accused foreign powers of orchestrating massive fraud in the election that returned him to power last year.

But after standing by his remarks despite international criticism, analysts, lawmakers and ordinary Afghans believe he is treading a thin line that could even threaten the future of the impoverished and war-torn country.

“I have had a great deal of respect for the president, considered him as a good friend and brother, but it is difficult for me to continue my support for him over this,” said pro-government lawmaker Shukria Barakzai.

Political analyst Mohammad Younus Fakur added: “The president crossed all lines of diplomacy and Afghanistan’s national interests with his recent stance.”

The Kabul Weekly newspaper also expressed fears, running a headline: “The president gambles over Afghanistan’s fate and the nation will pay the price.”

The United States, which shoulders the overwhelming burden of the war to quell an increasingly deadly Taliban insurgency and has tens of thousands of troops in Afghanistan, led the international backlash over Karzai’s remarks.

The White House even hinted that it may withdraw Karzai’s invitation for talks with President Barack Obama next month and pointedly refused to call the Afghan leader an ally.

The resignation Wednesday of two top officials at the government-appointed election commission that oversaw the August presidential vote and its chaotic aftermath may go some way to alleviating international concern.

One Western diplomat in Kabul described the development as “a step in the right direction” towards restoring the independence of the commission before planned parliamentary elections later this year.

Karzai has already courted criticism for trying to replace with Afghans three foreigners who sat on the UN-backed Election Complaints Commission (ECC) watchdog, ultimately agreeing to allow two non-Afghans on the body.

He has also sought to introduce further electoral amendments, but lawmakers voted down his changes and the upper house of parliament refused to debate the issue, leaving the status of the legislative changes uncertain.

Barakzai, a women’s rights activist, and others suggest Karzai has to go further, with funding for the this year’s elections and vital reconstruction and development projects dependent on good relations with foreign governments.

Parties also need to see eye-to-eye with a major peace “jirga” or traditional tribal meeting in May, a diplomatic conference and a coalition push against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan planned in the coming months.

“He (Karzai) could remain the legitimate president but a change of his tone and speech is must,” Barikzai told AFP.

Some observers assessed that Karzai’s comments were calculated to win him grassroots support among ordinary Afghans, many of whom see him as a puppet of the West.

Karzai repeated his claims about the election fraud at a meeting with local tribal leaders in the southern city of Kandahar and to lawmakers in a private meeting at the weekend.

But railing against Western “interference” could be a warning that he may turn to neighbouring Iran, Russia or other regional powers for support, said political analyst Waheed Mujda.

“It is a dangerous step he has taken,” said Mujda.

Mujda and others, though, said that despite Karzai’s bluster, which prompted former top UN envoy Peter Galbraith to question his “mental stability”, the president’s hands are tied.

Foreign governments are pressuring him to introduce key anti-corruption and good governance measures, amid long-standing concern about graft and lack of transparency at the heart of government.

“In the long run — one side, either Karzai or the US, will have to compromise. They both have no choice but to work together,” Mujda added.

Barakzai added: “No country in the region can be a good replacement for the international community as whole and United States support and cooperation with Afghanistan.”