UN Security Council meets with Afghan leaders in Kabul

KABUL -- Representatives of the UN Security Council held talks with Afghanistan's top leaders during a three-day visit to the war-torn country that ended Monday (January 15).

It was the first visit by the full council since 2010. There have been a series of recent high-profile visits to Afghanistan, including by US Vice President Mike Pence last month.

The talks focused on political, security, socio-economic and human rights issues in Afghanistan, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a statement after the delegation returned to New York.

"Council members aimed to get a first-hand account of progress made by the Afghan National Unity Government, with the assistance of the international community, in addressing a wide range of interconnected challenges and to learn how the Security Council could further assist efforts on the ground," UNAMA said.

Among other things "all parties reiterated the need for greater international and regional security co-operation".

A 'productive' visit

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani described the talks as "productive" in a statement from his office.

"Regional co-operation was discussed in the meeting and it was noted that pressure be exerted on Pakistan for the purpose of bringing stability in Afghanistan," the statement said.

Pakistan has been accused of supporting various militant groups, including the Taliban, and providing them with safe havens -- charges Islamabad denies.

The Security Council also urged Afghanistan to ensure parliamentary and presidential elections scheduled for this year and next were "timely" and "credible".

Afghans are due to vote in parliamentary elections -- already more than two years late -- in July.