President Obama said he welcomes the news that Afghanistan will hold a run-off presidential election between current President Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah after neither managed to win at least 50.1 percent of the August 20 vote.

“I congratulate the Afghan people on the patience and resilience they have shown throughout this long election process,” Obama said. The second election will be held November 7.

For more information, see “Obama Lauds Afghan President’s Participation in Runoff Vote.”