No one can derail democracy, says president

KABUL, according to a statement issued on Friday.

The statement from Presidential Palace said President Ghani met with committee heads of the Consultative Loya Jirga on Thursday evening.

Deputy heads of the Consultative Loya Jirga for peace, Kamal Safi and Dr. Habibia Sorabi, and heads of various committees congratulated the president on his reelection and expressed hope for establishment of durable peace in the country.

The speakers thanked the president for implementation of the Loya Jirga’s decisions and the creation of peace ministry.

They said a dignified and lasting peace was the desire of all Afghans, therefore the politicians should adopt unified stance in this regard in order to protect democracy, people’s basic rights and past gains.

First vice president-elect Amrullah Saleh on the occasion said that they had shared their concerns and preparations regarding the peace process with the Americans on the sidelines of the Munich conference.

President Ghani said the success of the elections meant survival of the nation, the constitution and the democratic system.

He said he contested the presidential election with people’s support despite numerous pressures and insisted no one had the power to dissolve democracy.

Ghani said the country witnessed enough progress in various fields during the past five years and there would have been more progress if the politicians were united.

The president said Afghanistan’s 80 percent water would be managed over the next five years. “Don’t consider yourself inferior or weak. Our courtesy should not be considered weakness.”