July 19, 2007	Thursday	Rajab 03, 1428

UNITED NATIONS, July 18: The UN Security Council on Tuesday affirmed its support for recent initiatives aimed at enhancing security, stability and development in the war-torn Afghanistan and condemned recent attacks against civilians in the country.

The Council’s action followed a briefing from Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hédi Annabi on recent developments on the ground, as well as the Rome conference.

The Council also reiterated its support for the continuing endeavours by the Afghan government, with the assistance of the international community, to further improve the security situation and to continue to address the threat posed by the Taliban, Al Qaeda and other extremist groups.

In addition, Council members condemned all suicide attacks against civilians and Afghan and international forces and their destabilising effects on the country’s security and stability, as well as the use by the Taliban and other extremist groups of civilians as human shields.

Expressing its concern about all civilian casualties, the Council reiterated its call “for all feasible steps to be taken to ensure the protection of civilian life and for international humanitarian and human rights law to be upheld.”