UNITED NATIONS: The U.N. Security Council congratulated the Afghan people for participating in nationwide elections on Thursday and condemned the Taliban and al Qaeda for their "violence" and "terrorist" activities.

"The members of the Security Council welcome the holding of the presidential and provincial council elections in Afghanistan," the council said in a statement, adding that they "congratulate the people of Afghanistan on their participation."

It said council members also "condemn the actions of those who sought to deny the voice of the Afghan people by attempting to disrupt the elections and condemn violent and terrorist activities by the Taliban, al Qaeda and other extremist groups aimed at destabilizing the country." link