KABUL – Representatives of the United Nations Security Council including USambassador Nikki Haley held talks with Afghanistan’s top leaders during athree-day visit to the war-torn country that ended Monday.
The unannounced trip by representatives of the 15-member council causedtraffic chaos in Kabul, with major streets blocked due to heavy securityfor the visitors.
It was the first visit by the full council since 2010.
There have been a series of recent high-profile visits to Afghanistan,including by US Vice President Mike Pence last month, as Afghan police andtroops struggle to beat back the resurgent Taliban and Islamic Statemilitants expand their foothold.
The talks focused on political, security, socio-economic and human rightsissues in Afghanistan, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan(UNAMA) said in a statement after the delegation flew back to New York.
“Council members aimed to get a first-hand account of progress made by theAfghan National Unity Government, with the assistance of the internationalcommunity, in addressing a wide range of interconnected challenges and tolearn how the Security Council could further assist efforts on the ground,”UNAMA said.
Among other things “all parties reiterated the need for greaterinternational and regional security cooperation”.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani described the talks as “productive” in astatement from his office.
“Regional cooperation was discussed in the meeting and it was noted thatpressure be exerted on Pakistan for the purpose of bringing stability inAfghanistan,” the statement said.
Pakistan has long been accused of supporting various militant groups,including the Taliban, and providing them with safe havens — charges itdenies.
US President Donald Trump’s administration this month announced asuspension of military aid to Pakistan, said to be worth up to $2 billionin equipment and funding.
The Security Council also urged Afghanistan to ensure parliamentary andpresidential elections scheduled for this year and next were “timely” and”credible”.
Afghans are due to vote in parliamentary elections — already more than twoyears late — in July but Western diplomats have expressed doubt aboutwhether the ballot will happen on time, or at all. – AFP