UN Security Council meets Afghan leaders in Kabul trip
Kabul, (MILLAT ONLINE):Representatives of the United Nations Security Council including US ambassador Nikki Haley held talks
with Afghanistan’s top leaders during a three-day visit to the war-torn country that ended Monday.
The unannounced trip by representatives of the 15-member council caused traffic chaos in
Kabul, with major streets blocked due to heavy security for 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 and troops struggle to beat back the resurgent
Taliban and IS militants expand their foothold.
The talks focused on political, security, socio-economic and human rights issues 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 the Afghan
National Unity Government, with the assistance of the international community, in addressing a
wide range of interconnected challenges and to learn how the Security Council could further
assist efforts on the ground,” UNAMA said.
Among other things “all parties reiterated the need for greater international and
regional security cooperation”.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani described the talks as “productive” in a statement
from his office.