The international community must stay fully engaged in the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan or risk fanning the flames of extremism, the UAE's ambassador to the United Nations warned on Wednesday.
Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, said further progress was necessary and the international community must not repeat the mistakes of the past when disengagement and neglect of Afghanistan permitted extremism to take over the country, reported state news agency Wam.
She said the international community must continue its efforts in addressing the security situation in Afghanistan, working to establish a peace process, intensifying efforts to support the country’s security forces, and promoting economic and human development.
Ms Nusseibeh welcomed the US administration’s bold strategy that brings renewed vigour to addressing the security situation and charts a path of continued US engagement to improve the conditions on the ground in Afghanistan.
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She said the UAE's commitment to providing humanitarian support and development assistance to the Afghan people.
In a statement, she emphasised the need to achieve long-term peace and stability through a comprehensive Afghan-led peace process.
Ms Nusseibeh commended UN efforts in Afghanistan and said the Afghan government and people are on the front lines of the global war against terrorism.
However she expressed grave concern over the escalating number of terrorist attacks targeting civilians and security forces in Afghanistan. In January UAE Ambassador to Afghanistan, Juma Al Kaabi, and five other Emirati diplomats were killed in an explosion, along with 11 Afghans.
She also applauded the efforts of the US, European Union, Nato partners and others in supporting and rebuilding Afghanistan’s institutions and infrastructure, and bringing in peace and stability to the country.
Since 2003, the UAE has been providing security assistance and working on community development activities in Afghanistan.