WASHINGTON, March 30 (UPI) -- The United States supports the Afghan Supreme Court's ruling extending the president's term until elections can be held, a State Department spokesman said.
"We believe that the continuity of government in this critical period before elections is vital and contributes to creating stability," said spokesman Gordon Duguid. "We urge all Afghans to support this ruling by the Supreme Court and to focus on the elections to be held (Aug. 22), rather than continuing to question the status of their government."
The United States also calls on the Afghan government under President Hamid Karzai, as well as the country's international partners, "to make every effort to ensure that the conditions are created for genuinely free and fair elections ... that will reflect the will of the Afghan people," Duguid said.
The spokesman said the United States doesn't support or oppose any legitimate candidate and would help create "a level playing field" for all candidates."
