Obama: Afghan Election an "Important Step Forward"
5257929President Obama hailed Afghanistan's election as an "important step forward" for the country.
The president said in the Friday afternoon statement on the White House lawn that he was struck by the "courage" of Afghans who voted despite intimidation and violence perpetrated by the Taliban.
"We knew that the Taliban would try to derail this election. Yet, even in the face of this brutality, millions of Afghans exercised the right to choose their leaders and determine their own destiny," he said. "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. Once again, extremists in Afghanistan have shown themselves willing to murder innocent Muslims -- men, women, and children -- to advance their aims."
Mr. Obama also talked about the future of the country, and the continued presence of U.S. troops eight years after 9/11.
"Our goal is clear: to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat Al Qaeda and their extremist allies," he said. "That goal will be achieved, and our troops will be able to come home as Afghans continue to strengthen their own capacity and take responsibility for their own future."
As the war in Afghanistan is also becoming more unpopular in the U.S., Mr. Obama also defended the reasons for continuing the fight.
"This is not a challenge that we asked for. It came to our shores when Al Qaeda launched the 9/11 attacks from Afghanistan. But America, our allies and partners and, above all, the Afghan people share a common interest in pursuing security, opportunity and justice," he said.
He also noted that the U.S.'s "only interest" in the result is that it was fair and accurately reflects "the will of the Afghan people."
"The United States did not support any candidate in this election," he added.
After his remarks, he was asked by CBS News senior White House correspondent Bill Plante what he thought of the hero's welcome given to convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdel Baset al-Megrahi in Libya on Thursday.
"I think it was highly objectionable," he said. (Read more on the White House response here.>)
The president's remarks were his last public appearance before his week-long vacation. Immediately following his statement, he left Washington for a weekend at Camp David. He will then spend a week at Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts.
More coverage of the Afghan elections:
Votes Cast, Now Posturing in Afghanistan
Washington Unplugged: Afghan Voters Defy The Taliban
See Pictures from Election Day
CBS News' Lara Logan's coverage of Afghanistan:
Marines in Taliban's Backyard for Election
Marines Walk Tightrope of Death
Mission Critical for U.S. Troops
What the Afghans Really Want
With the Marines in Helmand Province