KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AFP) - A suicide attacker killed a cousin of outgoing Afghan President Hamid Karzai near the volatile southern city of Kandahar on Tuesday, officials said, raising tensions during a struggle over the contested election result.

"A suicide bomber disguised as a guest came to Hashmat Karzai's house to greet him on Eid," Mr Dawa Khan Minapal, the provincial governor spokesman in Kandahar, said.

"After he hugged him, he blew up his explosives and killed Hashmat Karzai.