Afghanistan: UNSC concerned at spike in violence

KABUL (Pajhwok): Members of the UN Security Council called for the swift release of remaining prisoners, stressing the need for a reduction in violence to encourage an early start to intra-Afghan talks.

The council encouraged the Afghan government and the insurgent movement to work toward an early start of the long-awaited peace negotiations.

In a statement, the Security Council members welcomed the measures taken so far by the two sides to move toward the start of the intra-Afghan dialogue, most notably the partial implementation of commitments to release prisoners.

Urging the rapid release of remaining prisoners in the coming days, they hailed the political agreement between President Ashraf Ghani and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, ending the impasse stemming from last year's presidential election.

The council voiced its concern over the recent spike in violence, which continues to take the lives of innocent civilians. They said any attack targeting civilians, hospitals and humanitarian personnel and facilities was unacceptable.

They also expressed their serious concern over the presence of the Islamic State and other international terrorist groups in Afghanistan and over the significant increase in the cultivation, production, trade and trafficking of illicit drugs in the country.

They commended efforts by regional and international partners and organizations in advancing regional connectivity, development and reconstruction in Afghanistan.

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