MOSCOW (AP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory message Tuesday to Afghanistan's loya jirga, or grand council, wishing the delegates well in what he called their "historical" mission to choose a new government.
"We are counting on the transitional leadership of the country to actively continue building a new Afghanistan, one that lives in peace and harmony with its neighbors and the international community," Putin wrote in the message, excerpts of which were distributed by the Kremlin press service.
"We are ready to provide any kind of assistance for the social-economic revival of your country, to contribute to the international efforts toward Afghanistan's progress and prosperity."
The loya jirga's 1,550 delegates convened in Kabul on Tuesday to choose a new government for the nation, devastated by more than two decades of war.