The White House said early Thursday it had been closely watching the dispute between ousted Balkh governor Atta Mohammad Noor and the National Unity Government and called on them to quickly resolve the issue. 

According to a statement issued by the White House “the United States calls on the parties involved to quickly and peacefully resolve this dispute over the transfer of authority to a new governor.  

“The continued impasse benefits only terrorists and Afghanistan's adversaries.”
 
They statement said the White House believes that this dispute should be resolved in a way that gives Afghan citizens confidence that the appointment of a new governor strengthens security and the Government of National Unity's ability to fulfill its obligations to them.  

“There is no space for violence in resolving this matter - or for any party to delay a resolution by putting their own interests before those of Afghanistan.”
 
The White House went on to say this is an issue for Afghans to decide within the framework of their constitution, and in accordance with the rule of law and the principle of equality before the law.
 
The impasse emerged in December after President Ashraf Ghani accepted a letter of resignation that had been signed months earlier by Noor.  

Noor has since refused to accept Ghani’s move and said the letter was no longer valid.