WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday expressed grave concern over reports of protests in Afghanistan and suggestions of a parallel government, saying there was no justifiable recourse to violence.

“I have noted reports of protests in Afghanistan and of suggestions of a parallel government with the gravest concern,” Kerry said in a statement, adding the US expected Afghan electoral institutions to conduct a thorough review of all reasonable allegations of irregularities.

Kerry said: “At the same time, there is no justifiable recourse to violence or threats of violence, or for resort to extra-constitutional measures or threats of the same.”

Noting that the apolitical role of security forces must be respected by all parties, Kerry called on Afghan leaders to maintain calm in order to preserve the gains of the last decade and maintain the trust of the people.

“Any action to take power by extra-legal means will cost Afghanistan the financial and security support of the United States and the international community,” Kerry said. (Pajhwok)