Obama praises Afghanistan election

United States President Barack Obama has praised Thursday's presidential election in Afghanistan calling it "an important step forward."

After Afghan officials called their electoral process a success, Pres. Obama offered praise to the Afghanistan government and their handling of the presidential election, according to The New York Times. Currently, there is no winner of the election however, polls show that current incumbent Hamid Karzai was leading with 36 per cent. Pres. Obama, at The White House, stated the country's election was "an important step forward" in the struggle for democracy and against Islam extremist ideology. The President was also pleased with the presidential candidates, incumbents and voters who showed "courage in the face of intimidation." "The future belongs to those who want to build, not … destroy. Our goal is clear: to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al-Qaeda and their extremist allies."