New York  - The UN Security Council congratulated Afghanistan over the conduct of its presidential and provincial elections.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the holding of Thursday's elections and "congratulated" the Afghan people on their participation, a press statement said.

The statement, issued late Thursday, also condemned all violent and terrorist activities of the Taliban, al-Qaeda and other extremist groups, aiming to destabilize the country.

More than 50 people, about half of them Taliban militants, were killed in about 130 attacks throughout Afghanistan on election day, officials said.

Earlier, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also congratulated Afghans for voting despite threats against their lives.

"By exercising their constitutional right to vote, the Afghan people have demonstrated again their desire for stability and development in their country," Ban said in a statement.

The UN council said it was looking forward to working with the newly elected leader of the Afghan people and aid him and his government. (dpa)