US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hailed on Monday the "successful" Afghan parliamentary and provincial elections and said the elections are further evidence of Afghanistan's continuing democratic development.

"The extremist elements that once again attempted to disrupt the electoral process have failed, and the Afghan people, as they courageously made their ways to the polls, demonstrated their determination to proceed down a democratic path," Rice said in a statement.

Rice said that the results will lead to the seating of Afghanistan's National Assembly, the final step in the process that began four years ago with the assistance from the international community.

"The United States is firmly committed to help Afghans build a free, secure and prosperous future and applauds the Afghan people as they advance further on their democratic journey," Rice said.

Source: Xinhua