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Afghanistan: Brahimi, German Chancellor discuss latest developments

Afghanistan: Brahimi, German Chancellor discuss latest developments

The top United Nations envoy for Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi, met today in Kabul with visiting German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to review the latest developments in the country.

In their talks, Mr. Brahimi and Chancellor Schroeder discussed progress in the Loya Jirga process and the extension of International Security Assistance Force, UN officials said.

They also reviewed the funding situation of humanitarian agencies, in particular the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP), which are faced with increased demands due to the very fast pace of refugee returns and the increased nutritional needs of the Afghan population.

Mr. Brahimi thanked the Chancellor for the lead role Germany has been playing in supporting the Ministry of Interior to develop a new Afghan police force.

Meanwhile in Mazar-i-Sharif, the site of recent skirmishes, two parties involved in the clashes said they were satisfied with the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from the area - part of an agreement brokered by the UN to end hostilities in the area.

In a meeting on Wednesday between General Dostum and General Atta that included representatives of Hezbi-Wahdat, Hezbi-Wahdat-Akhbari and Harakat-Islami, the two military leaders said they were pleased with the latest developments, even though severe road conditions had limited the withdrawal of General Atta's tanks, artillery and other weapons to the gorges before Marmul, according to a UN spokesman.