Security Council backs Brahimi's efforts on Afghanistan

After a briefing by the United Nations lead envoy on Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi, members of the Security Council today backed his efforts in the search for a political solution in the country while expressing concern about the humanitarian plight of the Afghan people.

"There was an exchange of views on the humanitarian, political and military situation in and around Afghanistan, and a discussion about the future possible role of the UN," Ambassador Richard Ryan of Ireland, the current President of the 15-nation body, said in a press statement after the closed-door meeting. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and his Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan, Francesc Vendrell, also took part in the session.

"Council members reiterated their full support for the work of Mr. Brahimi and encouraged him to continue his consultations," Ambassador Ryan said.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Special Representative Brahimi said he was preparing to go to the region in the next few days to talk to as many Afghan parties as possible in search of a "home grown" solution to the current crisis.

"Nobody wants an arrangement that is imposed on Afghanistan," Mr. Brahimi said. "The Afghans would not accept it, and the international community understands that, and we in the UN would definitely not be part of a thing like that."

As for the humanitarian situation in the country, members of the Security Council urged neighbouring countries to intensify their cooperation with the UN in responding to the refugee crisis. They also demanded that the Taliban stop preventing aid from reaching the Afghan people and stop threatening the safety and security of aid workers.

In the statement, Council members stressed the importance of ensuring that emergency supplies were delivered to Afghans in need as quickly as possible. They called on States to disburse rapidly their contributions to the UN emergency humanitarian appeals for Afghanistan, highlighting also the need for the international community to respond financially to the needs of the neighbouring host countries.

Commending the work of humanitarian workers in the region, the Council reiterated the importance of ensuring their safety and security at all times.