Taliban urges UN to resume Afghan operations

The Taliban is calling on the United Nationsn (UN) to resume work in Afghanistan to prevent a humanitarian disaster.

The Taliban is calling on the United Nationsn (UN) to resume work in Afghanistan to prevent a humanitarian disaster.

Afghan Ambassador Mr Abdul Salam Zaeef claims the US bombing had driven thousands of people from their homes.

He said the situation had worsened due to Pakistan's refusal to allow refugees to enter the country.

Mr Zaeef said the UN should help the people of Afghanistan inside Afghan territory and claims his government is committed to co-operating with the UN to prevent any further problems.

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But the UN is reluctant to operate inside Afghanistan because of security concerns.

Instead, UN officials have been trying to persuade Pakistan to open its borders to more refugees.

Pakistan has about two million Afghan refugees, some of whom have been here since the war against the Soviet Union 20 years ago.

UN officials have also complained of Taliban fighters harassing aid workers and looting supplies. The Taliban ambassador said the only threat to the UN in Afghanistan was American bombs.

PA