WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States on Monday recognized "some improvements" in the Azerbaijani parliamentary election over previous elections, but stressed that there were still "major irregularities and fraud".

    "We share the view of the OSCE (the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) Observer Mission on the parliamentary elections. That assessment was that despite some improvement, there were major irregularities and fraud that are of serious concern," said US State Department spokesman Adam Ereli.

    "We will urge the government of Azerbaijan to take immediate investigations into these irregularities and fraud, consistent with Azerbaijan's laws, institutions and election legislation. We will also make the point that all protests and demonstrations need to be peaceful, legal. All parties should refrain from violence," Ereli said.

    The US spokesman meanwhile stressed that the United States willcontinue to have a relationship with Azerbaijan.

    "There are a number of -- a wide range of issues that we need to deal with Azerbaijan on: energy, security, counterterrorism, economic, political, regional, multilateral. So that's going to move forward," he said.

    According to the latest official results based on almost 96 percent of ballots counted, the ruling New Azerbaijan Party won anoutright majority, with control of 63 seats in the 125-seat national assembly.

    Earlier on Monday, OSCE, who sent on-the-spot observers to monitor Sunday's election, announced that the election "did not meet a number of OSCE commitments and Council of Europe standards for democratic elections." Enditem