A senior U-N official says the mandate of the multinational security force in Afghanistan should be expanded to allow it to address security concerns outside Kabul.
U-N Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Kieran Prendergast told the Security Council a limited expansion of the International Security Assistance Force should be considered because the Afghan government will not be able to provide security in the near future.
He says the need for greater security is underscored by a wave of recent attacks against international aid workers in northern Afghanistan. He referred to several incidents, including the gang rape of one aid worker and shots being fired at an international organization's clinic.
Mr. Prendergast says that if the security situation worsens, aid agencies might cut operations in northern Afghanistan.
He spoke Friday, one day after Turkey formally took control of the more than 45-hundred strong International Security Assistance Force in Kabul.