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UN envoy 'encouraged' by talks with Afghan leaders on disarmament, security

UN envoy 'encouraged' by talks with Afghan leaders on disarmament, security

Jean Arnault
With the United Nations-backed plan to decommission thousands of ex-soldiers in Afghanistan picking up steam, the top UN envoy in the country met today with the governor of Herat and two senior army commanders to discuss key aspects of the national agenda.

Jean Arnault, head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), met in Kabul today with the Governor of Herat, Ismail Khan, Gen. Ustad Atta Mohammad, Commander of the 7th Corps, and Gen. Daoud, Commander of the 6th Corps.

"They discussed key aspects of the national agenda, including disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, security, the fight against drugs and the restoration of law and order," UNAMA spokesman Manoel de Almeida e Silva said in a statement released following the talks in the Afghan capital.

According to the statement, Mr. Arnault "welcomes the commitments made by all three interlocutors"…particularly in the area of disarmament. "[He] is encouraged by these commitments and trusts that the DDR process will gain momentum and will result in tangible benefits for demobilized soldiers as well as for the stability and security of the country."