France hails Afghanistan presidential election outcome

France early Monday said it welcomed the end of the stand-off in Afghanistan over the outcome of the Afghan Presidential election, which has been disputed between two protagonists for several months.

“The independent, Afghan, electoral commission has announced the election of Dr. Ashraf Ghani as next President of the Republic. We congratulate the new President,” a Foreign Ministry statement said.

France noted an agreement between the two protagonists, each of which claimed victory and accused the other of fraud.

Dr. Ghani has now incorporated his rival, former Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, into the new government.

“This allows Afghanistan to enter a peaceful and democratic transition,” Paris said, congratulating the Afghan people and assuring the new administration of France’s support.