UNITED NATIONS, Nov 24: The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday congratulated the people of Afghanistan on the confirmation of the final results for parliamentary and provincial council elections as paving the way toward the timely inauguration of the new parliament and the conclusion of its transitional political phase.

In a statement read by the Security Council president for November, Ambassador Andrey Denisov of the Russian Federation, the Council also expressed its hope for the prompt appointment of all members of the House of Elders, or Meshrano Jirga.

The Council thanked all those who contributed to the electoral process, reaffirmed how important it was for the international community to maintain a high level of commitment to assisting Afghanistan in addressing such remaining challenges as improving security, governance and development, and fighting terrorist and narcotic threats.