Nations seek greater U.N. role in Afghanistan

By Patrick Worsnip

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Key countries involved in Afghanistan urged the United Nations on Sunday to expand its role there, but Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said continuing violence kept the world body from operating in some areas.

An 18-nation meeting at U.N. headquarters also pressed Afghan President Hamid Karzai, heading Kabul's delegation, to promote national reconciliation through an "inclusive political dialogue" with the country's turbulent factions.

Ban called the meeting of foreign ministers and top diplomats from Afghanistan's neighbors and key NATO countries to seek increased backing for Afghan and U.N. efforts to bring peace and stability after years of intermittent fighting.

Since U.S.-backed forces overthrew Afghanistan's Taliban rulers in late 2001, Karzai's government has struggled to keep control, faced with a resurgent Taliban, independent-minded warlords and rising drug production.

About 50,000 foreign troops are deployed there, including a NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, and separately led U.S. forces.

Ban told reporters the three-hour meeting had heard a "request and strong desire on the part of member states that the United Nations do more ... (and) increase its role there."

He said the number of U.N. offices in Afghanistan had been recently increased by nine to a total of 17.

But in an opening address to the delegates Ban said there were areas -- a reference to fighting with the Taliban in the South -- where "security concerns would not allow me to justify a (U.N.) presence".  Continued...