Afghanistan: Brahimi continues contacts in support of political transition

The senior United Nations envoy in Afghanistan today continued his consultations in Kabul aimed at supporting the country's political transition.

In a meeting with all members of the diplomatic community accredited to the Afghan capital, Lakhdar Brahimi, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative, stressed that the donor community and many countries of the world were working together "to help Afghanistan stand on its own two feet."

He said the UN's priorities included the constitution, by 22 January, of the Special Independent Commission tasked with convening the Emergency Loya Jirga – the traditional council of Afghan elders. Mr. Brahimi emphasized that according to the Bonn Agreement, which paved the way for the political transition, there must be "wide consultation" in the country to ensure representation of all areas and ethnic groups.

The envoy also underscored the urgent need for financial support to help the Afghan Interim Administration meet its many obligations.