UN Secretary-General Mr Kofi Annan pressed Afghanistan's fledgling government today to move more quickly to improve security after approval of a new constitution last week.
While the new constitution "provides a permanent foundation for re-establishing the rule of law in Afghanistan," Afghans must now go back to addressing the problems that loomed before its January 4th adoption, Mr Annan told the UN Security Council.
These include "the deeply troubling security situation, ensuring an inclusive, broadly representative government, and quickening the pace of reconstruction," he said. "These key challenges demand immediate action."
Also briefing the 15-nation council was the outgoing UN special representative for Afghanistan, Mr Lakhdar Brahimi, who begins a new assignment this month as Mr Annan's special adviser.
Mr Brahimi, a principal architect of the political process in the shaky central Asian nation, criticized the defense and interior ministries and intelligence services for moving too slowly to reform national security institutions.
He also accused factional leaders of undermining efforts to disarm regional forces controlled by the warlords who still hold sway over many parts of the country.