WASHINGTON, July 29 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Monday hailed the first round of presidential elections in Mali as " transparent" and "inclusive," urging candidates to resolve disputes through legal means.
"We commend the interim government for holding transparent, inclusive elections," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement, noting "Though domestic and international observers witnessed minor technical difficulties, voting took place peacefully throughout Mali with high voter turnout."
The polls on Sunday came after the West African nation has gone through a crisis following a coup in March 2012, when the military ousted elected President Amadou Toumani Toure.
The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA), a Tuareg separatist group, took the advantage of the coup to sweep through the northern part of Mali and declared an "independent" state, while al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb and other Islamist groups also consolidated their foothold in the north.
France sent in troops in January this year amid southward advances by the rebels before other African countries joined in. The U.S. provided logistical support to the French and African troops in their efforts to flush out the Islamist militants from northern Mali.
The MNLA signed a preliminary peace agreement with the government in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso on June 18.
"We encourage transparency and patience as votes are tallied and results announced and urge candidates to resolve any disputes through the appropriate legal mechanisms," Psaki said.
"This election represents an important step in Mali's return to constitutional order and allows for progress toward national reconciliation," she added. "The United States will remain a committed partner as Mali takes further steps toward long-term peace, security and development."
A run-off would be held on Aug. 11 if none of the 27 candidates could garner an absolute majority of votes in the first round of polls.
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