August 07, 2021 | 17:56 (GMT+7)
Vietnam condemns attacks on civilians in Afghanistan
Vietnam condemns attacks on civilians, U.N. staff and civil infrastructure, especially infrastructure essential to people's lives, in Afghanistan, said Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy at an U.N. Security Council (UNSC) emergency meeting on escalating violence in the country on August 6.
Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the U.N., took the occasion to call on all parties concerned to put an end to such attacks and be fully compliant with international humanitarian law.
Expressing his concern over the Afghanistan situation, the diplomat said it cannot be solved by military solution, but by a comprehensive political solution that could bring lasting peace and stability to the country.
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At a meeting of the UNSC in New York |
He urged relevant parties to soon reach a ceasefire agreement to facilitate the peace negotiation process. He also affirmed his support for the efforts of the U.N., U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), regional countries and organizations, and other international partners in backing the process.
The Vietnamese representative emphasized the need to strengthen the handling of economic and humanitarian challenges in Afghanistan, particularly food insecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Briefers showed their deep concern over the situation in Afghanistan at the meeting, especially increasing violence and civilian casualties in recent months and the standstill in the peace negotiation between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
Deborah Lyons, Special Representative of the U.N. Secretary-General for Afghanistan and head of the UNAMA said the UNAMA is working to advance the peace negotiation process and address humanitarian challenges in Afghanistan.
Sharing the concern, participating UNSC member nations called for an end to violence and practical progress in negotiation.
The Afghan representative affirmed that the Afghan Government will make efforts to promote the peace negotiation process, calling on the UNSC and the international community to continue to support the Government and people of Afghanistan in their peace process and national reconstruction.
According to UNAMA, the number of civilian casualties in the country in the first half of 2021 increased by 47 percent compared to the same period last year.
Source: VNA