Obama praises Afghans for voting

2009-08-22 09:23 BJT

Special Report: Afghan presidential election |

Watch Video

Play Video

US President Barack Obama has praised Afghans for turning out to vote in large numbers despite threats of violence. He said U.S. policy in the eight year long war there would not change in the aftermath of Afghanistan's presidential election.

US President Barack Obama said, "As I watched the election, I was struck by their courage in the face of intimidation, and their dignity in the face of disorder. 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. But I believe that the future belongs to those who want to build not those who want to destroy."

Editor: Zhang Ning | Source: CCTV.com