Obama hails Afghanistan8217;s presidential elections

President Obama said that he was highly impressed by the exemplary courage shown by the Afghans who came out in large numbers to vote.

Terming the Afghanistan8217;s presidential elections as an 8220;important step forward8221;,US President Barack Obama said on Saturday that he was highly impressed by the exemplary courage shown by the Afghans who came out in large numbers to cast their votes despite Taliban8217;s threat.

8220;This was an important step forward in the Afghan people8217;s efforts to take control of their future,even as violent extremists are trying to stand in their way,8221; Obama said.

8220;As I watched the election,I was struck by their courage in the face of intimidation,and their dignity in the face of disorder,8221; he said in a late afternoon brief at the White House minutes before leaving for Camp David,where the US President and his family would spend the weekend.

8220;There is a clear contrast between those who seek to control their future at the ballot box,and those who kill to prevent that from happening,8221; Obama said,as he reiterated his pledge to disrupt,dismantle and defeat the Al Qaeda and the Taliban network in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Extremists in Afghanistan are willing to do anything to achieve their goal 8220;But I believe that the future belongs to those who want to build 8212; not those who want to destroy.

And that is the future that was sought by the Afghans who went to the polls,and the Afghan National Security Forces who protected them.8221;

Noting that the US did not support any candidate in this election,Obama said: 8220;Our only interest was the result fairly,accurately reflecting the will of the Afghan people,and that is what we will continue to support as the votes are counted,and we wait for the official results from the Afghan Independent Electoral Commission and the Electoral Complaints Commission.8221;

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His Administration will continue to work with Afghan partners to strengthen Afghan security,governance,and opportunity,he said.