November 12, 2003	Wednesday	Ramazan 16, 1424

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UNITED NATIONS, Nov 11: The Afghanistan peace process is on track but tough security problems mean the war-torn nation’s advances could still be reversed, the UN Security Council said on Tuesday after visiting the country.

German ambassador Gunter Pleuger, who led last week’s council mission, said terror activities, fighting among warlords and drug-related crime posed serious problems ahead of elections set for next year.

“Major challenges lie ahead and much remains to be done if the peace process is to become irreversible and security in Afghanistan realized,” he said in a report to the council.

“Afghanistan has now entered the most critical phase in the peace process — the constitutional Loya Jirga and the election process,” Mr Pleuger said.

His report came hours after a car bomb exploded close to the UN compound in Kandahar, which remains one of the most troubled regions of Afghanistan two years after the fall of the Taliban.—AFP