UN voices concern over delay in inauguration of Afghan parliament

AFP - The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) voiced "deep concern and surprise" on Friday at President Hamid Karzai's decision to delay inaugurating a new parliament for a month.
              
Karzai's office announced on Wednesday that the inauguration of the new Wolesi Jirga, originally expected on Sunday, was being put on hold until February 22.
              
"UNAMA expresses its deep concern and surprise at the recent call to delay the inauguration of the national assembly," the mission said in a statement.
              
The organisation said that along with other international players including the United States, it supported a "reasonable, enduring and peaceful resolution to this issue by the relevant Afghan stakeholders... so that parliament can convene as soon as possible."
              
The announcement of a postponement came after the head of a special tribunal, which is ruling on more than 400 cases of alleged electoral fraud in September's parliamentary elections, called for a delay of at least a month.
              
The tribunal's head also warned the body could call for recounts.
              
But defiant winning members of parliament have vowed to open the new parliament without Karzai on Sunday, as originally planned.
              
In its statement, UNAMA also said: "Afghanistan's peaceful future lies in the building up of robust democratic institutions based on the rule of law and clear respect for the separation of powers."
              
Last month, the UN Security Council welcomed the final results of the September election and said they constituted "an important milestone" in Afghanistan's political process.