Agreement reached on Afghan UN peacekeeping force

The United Nations has reached agreement with Afghanistan’s interim government over the size and shape of the peacekeeping force to be installed in the war-torn country.

Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah confirmed the peacekeepers will be allowed to defend themselves under UN Chapter 7 regulations, but he refused to reveal other details of the planned force.

There had been disagreement with the UN over the role of the planned peacekeeping mission, with Defence Minister Mohammed Fahim saying only 3,000 foreign soldiers would be allowed into Afghanistan and only 1,000 of them would be allowed to police the country.

The others, he said, should focus on logistical and humanitarian operations.

The UN was hoping to install more than 5,000 peacekeepers to police the country.

Dr Abdullah also confirmed today the interim Afghan government does not want the US to stop bombing Afghanistan, despite reports to the contrary last week.

The Foreign Minister said the attacks can continue 'as long as terrorist cells are in Afghanistan, as long as the objectives of the campaign are not fully achieved'.

Other members of the interim government had called for an end to the bombing after more than 100 civilians and tribal leaders were reportedly killed in two separate attacks before Christmas.

"Certainly we are concerned about that," Dr Abdullah said, "but we are not at the end of the campaign. It should continue as long as it takes."