United Nations: The top United Nations envoy to Afghanistan has called for a "political surge" to boost the prospects for peace in the strife-torn nation and to respond to urgent humanitarian concerns such as access for the delivery of vital food aid.

"None of us can deny that there are very serious problems and none of us can deny that the security situation has deteriorated," Kai Eide, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, told a news conference yesterday. At the same time, Eide warned against pessimism and asserted that there is a strong international commitment to reverse the negative trends in the country. A key element in doing so is to focus on the agenda set by the Government and international partners.

The International Conference in Support of Afghanistan, held in Paris on June 12 this year saw fresh pledges of resources for the country's rebuilding efforts, as well as the launch of the Government's five-year plan to reduce poverty and promote economic and social development, known as the Afghan National Development Strategy (ANDS). He pointed to recent progress on the implementation plan for the ANDS, improved work of the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board, the agreed expansion of the national army, closer scrutiny of aid effectiveness, and the launch of a new anti-corruption agency.

"We have made some progress, but we need to accelerate that work," he stressed. "What we need most of all is a political surge more political energy."

Source : PTI