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Afghanistan: UN mission helps broker agreement between warring factions

Afghanistan: UN mission helps broker agreement between warring factions

Two warring commanders in the northern part of Afghanistan, where fighting last week killed eight soldiers, have agreed to lay down their weapons under an accord brokered with the help of the United Nations Assistance Mission in the country (UNAMA).

The Mission reported today that both parties – led respectively by Karim Khan and Makdoum – are complying with the agreement, which calls for the safe handover of the bodies as well as the return of 11 prisoners taken captive during the clashes.

Other provisions of the accord provide for complete demilitarization of the central bazaar and the installation of a neutral commander from a neighbouring district to control the area. All military groups were requested to stand down from their positions and remain in their respective villages.

The agreement was successfully brokered following two days of talks with the parties by UNAMA and members of a security commission set up in May following an earlier agreement signed by the northern groups.