US President Barack Obama Monday hailed Kyrgyzstan\'s election as \"democratic\" and \"courageous\" after Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev secured victory despite his rivals\' claims of fraud. \"I congratulate the people and government of Kyrgyzstan for yesterday\'s democratic and peaceful presidential election,\" Obama said in a statement. \"In casting their ballots, the Kyrgyz people have taken an important and courageous step on the path of democracy and demonstrated their commitment to an orderly and open transition of power.\"