Security Council expresses concern at security conditions in Afghanistan

After hearing a briefing by the top United Nations envoy in Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi, the members of the Security Council today expressed serious concern at the deterioration of security in many areas of the country and the recent attacks on UN and other personnel of aid organizations, and called on all concerned to work towards peace.

"Members of the Council underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability in Afghanistan and called on all actors in Afghanistan to work together with the international community to ensure the success of the peace process," the Council's President, Ambassador Munir Akram of Pakistan, said in a statement to the press following the 15-nation body's open meeting on Afghanistan.

During the meeting, Mr. Brahimi, the head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), told the Council that the Bonn Peace Agreement was challenged by the unstable security environment, which stems from daily harassment and intimidation, inter-ethnic and inter-factional strife, increases in the activity of elements linked to the Taliban and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, and the drugs economy.

Members of the Council reiterated their support for the efforts of the Afghan Transitional Administration and UNAMA to implement the Bonn process, Ambassador Akram told the press. He added that the Transitional Authority "must receive adequate support from the international community."

Ambassador Akram said Council Members noted important tasks set out by the government for this year that need to be supported and completed successfully, such as reforms in the security sector and the extension of central government authority to all parts of Afghanistan.

In addition, he said the building of the new national army and police, the constitutional process and the registration of voters in advance of holding of national elections next year are also key.

Ambassador Akram said the Council called on donors to support generously the reconstruction programmes and the various bodies working towards the peace process.