President Obama congratulated Afghan President Hamid Karzai on his re-election after his opponent Abdullah Abdullah withdrew from the race. The two candidates were to face each other November 7 in a run-off after no presidential candidate received a majority of the vote in an August contest.

“Although the process was messy, I’m pleased to say that the final outcome was determined in accordance with Afghan law, which I think is very important, not only for the international community that has so much invested in Afghan success, but most importantly, is important for the Afghan people that the results were in accordance with and followed the rules laid down by the Afghan constitution,” Obama said.

Obama said the American people are committed to helping Afghanistan achieve prosperity and security, but that the Afghan government must play its part to fight corruption and strengthen governance. A text of the president’s remarks is available on America.gov.

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.”

President Obama met with the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan to discuss shared security concerns. “We meet today as three sovereign nations joined by a common goal: to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda and its extremist allies in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their ability to operate in either country in the future,” Obama said during a press conference following the May 6 meetings.

Obama also discussed the need for the United States to help Afghanistan strengthen its economy and to provide “lasting support” for Pakistan’s democratic institutions. For more, see “‘Unprecedented Cooperation’ in Pakistan, Afghanistan Talks.”

President Obama lauded NATO’ accomplishments over the past 60 years at an anniversary summit today in Strasbourg, France. “But while we celebrate NATO’s achievements, we can’t rest upon them. The 21st century has ushered in a new era of global threats. To meet these dangers, the alliance must renew and reform itself once more,” he said.

Among those dangers are terrorist groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This topic was a focus of NATO meetings as Obama has been seeking support for his new Afghan strategy.

NATO members agreed to provide about 5,000 troops and trainers to provide civilian assistance ahead of Afghanistan’s August elections. “All of NATO understands that al Qaeda is a threat to all of us, and that this collective security effort must achieve its goals,” the president said.

With Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates at his side, President Obama unveiled a new strategy for fighting terrorists in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

President Obama says the new strategy, which “marks the conclusion of a careful policy review” with top military and diplomatic officials, includes plans for increased funding and an additional 4,000 troops above the 17,000 increase he previously authorized. These 4,000 troops will train Afghan security forces.

“As president, my greatest responsibility is to protect the American people. We are not in Afghanistan to control that country or to dictate its future,” the president said. “I want the American people to understand that we have a clear and focused goal to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaida in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future.”

The increased funding will support civilian efforts, because “a campaign against extremism will not succeed with bullets or bombs alone,” Obama said. He said he supports a congressional bill that would authorize $1.5 billion in aid over the next five years to help build schools, hospitals and strengthen democracy in Pakistan.

The president acknowledged the high price of these efforts. “Resources are stretched,” Obama said. “But the American people must understand that this is a down payment on our own future.”

For more, see “Obama Announces New Strategy for Afghanistan, Pakistan.”