The United States on Tuesday urged Afghan leaders to unite for upcoming talks with the Taliban, pointedly not congratulating President Ashraf Ghani on his disputed victory. In a statement a week after the results were published, State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said the US "notes" the announcement and warned against "destabilizing actions." "The Afghan people want peace," she said. "It is time to focus not on electoral politics, but on taking steps toward a lasting peace." sct/ft