KABUL - The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Afghanistan, Staffan de Mistura, welcomes the decision of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) announced on Sunday 21 August regarding the membership of the Wolesi Jirga. With this decision a long institutional impasse comes to an end. English - Dari - Pashto

SRSG de Mistura recognises the efforts made by those involved to seek a conclusion to the 2010 Wolesi Jirga elections, in particular the decision of President Karzai to leave the IEC with the sole authority to finalise these results.

The real work must now begin. The people of Afghanistan expect the parliament, government and judiciary to act within their clearly defined areas of competence, and in accordance with Afghanistan's Constitution and other relevant laws, to bring peace, progress and prosperity to their country.

UNAMA remains fully committed to supporting the Afghan people and their democratic institutions.
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United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Kabul, Afghanistan
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