Afghan police helping to promote stability in troubled northern areas, UN reports

Troubled parts of northern Afghanistan are increasingly stable thanks in part to the deployment of a police unit there, a United Nations spokesman reported today.

Manoel de Almeida e Silva told the press that the ceasefire in the north continues to hold and the security situation is reported as having significantly improved. A contingent of Kabul-based police has been deployed at checkpoints in Mazar city and its surroundings, while UN restrictions on road missions have been lifted except in two areas.

The spokesman pointed to "promising" developments in Balkh province's Sholgara district, which has remained calm since a peace agreement was signed there in late August. "This is due mainly to a nascent police force in the district that is performing its functions with growing credibility," he said.

With international support, the police unit has been able to buy vehicles, uniforms, radios and other equipment. "The result is the emergence of a force that is representative of the population they serve and inclusive of the factions in this area," Mr. de Almeida e Silva said.