In the wake of an upsurge in attacks that has killed more than 100 people across Afghanistan in the last two weeks, transitional President Hamid Karzai said he would run for elected office, if the conditions were right.

In an exclusive interview with CTV reporter Matt McClure, Karzai gave his first clear indication of his political intentions.

Despite constant threats on his own life, and a resurgence of Taliban attacks since last week's independence day celebrations, Karzai is trying to stay on the road to building a unified and peaceful country.

The powerful Pashtun tribal leader from the Taliban's political stronghold of Kandahar said he is committed enough to consider a run for office in a vote planned for June, 2004.

"If the form of government will be presidential by direct vote and direct democratic elections, yes," Karzai told CTV in his first interview with a Canadian network.

Responding to critics who charge he is a leader without a country, or at least without power outside Kabul city limits, Karzai was emphatic. "I think it's not true."

"We may not have is an effective government, but we have a country. We have a nation, a hell of a nation."

The transitional president also repeated his government's demand that NATO expand its peacekeeping mission outside the capital, Kabul.

Though he lashed out at the United Nations and other non-governmental organizations for their decision to halt many operations because of the threat of violence, Karzai appreciates the Canadian presence.

And he says Canadians themselves will benefit.

"The risk that the Canadian soldier takes in Afghanistan... for peace in Afghanistan, is going to translate into safety for his family back in Canada."

Though the risk has already halted or curtailed operations, Karzai says those trying to rebuild the country can't avoid the risk.

"You can't run away from trouble," Karzai said. "You're here to correct the trouble and if you say well I'm not going to a certain place because there's a certain security risk, then what are we doing here in the first place?"

Based on a report from CTV's Matt McClure