The United States has thanked the Afghan government for postponing the oath taking ceremony of Ashraf Ghani, the US State Department said in a statement on Tuesday.

The statement has voiced serious concern over escalation of political disputes and urged all sides not to focus on electoral politics, but on taking steps toward a lasting peace, ending the war with the Taliban, and finding a formula for a political settlement that can serve the interests of all of this country’s citizens through intra-Afghan negotiations.

“concerns have been raised about the election process and that Washington expected the issues to be handled in accordance with constitutional and legal procedures,” the statement further added.

After announcement of the election results, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) declared Ghani as the winner, but his key rival Abdullah Abdullah contested the results and vowed to form an all-inclusive government.

“The United States sought the formation of an inclusive government representing all Afghans, and called on political leaders to ensure that political debate was calm and free from the use or threat of violence,” according to the statement.

Arezo News Website