Adopted by the Security Council at its 5977th meeting, on 22 September 2008
The Security Council,
Reaffirming its previous resolutions on Afghanistan, in particular its
resolutions 1386 (2001), 1510 (2003), 1776 (2007) and 1806 (2008),
Reaffirming also its resolutions 1267 (1999), 1368 (2001), 1373 (2001) and
1822 (2008), and reiterating its support for international efforts to root out terrorism in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,
Recalling its resolutions 1265 (1999), 1296 (2000), 1674 (2006) and 1738
(2006) on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, its resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008) on women and peace and security, and its resolution 1612 (2005) on children and armed conflict,
Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial
integrity and national unity of Afghanistan,
Recognizing that the responsibility for providing security and law and order
throughout the country resides with the Afghan Authorities, stressing the role of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in assisting the Afghan Government to improve the security situation and welcoming the cooperation of the Afghan Government with ISAF,
Recognizing once again the interconnected nature of the challenges in
Afghanistan, reaffirming that sustainable progress on security, governance and
development, as well as the cross-cutting issue of counter-narcotics is mutually
reinforcing and welcoming the continuing efforts of the Afghan Government and the international community to address these challenges through a comprehensive approach,
Stressing the central and impartial role that the United Nations continues to
play in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan by leading the efforts of the international community, noting, in this context, the synergies in the objectives of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and of ISAF, and stressing the need for strengthened cooperation, coordination and mutual support, taking due account of their respective designated responsibilities,
Expressing its strong concern about the security situation in Afghanistan, in
particular the increased violent and terrorist activities by the Taliban, Al-Qaida, illegally armed groups, criminals and those involved in the narcotics trade, and the increasingly strong links between terrorism activities and illicit drugs, resulting in threats to the local population, including children, national security forces and international military and civilian personnel,
Encouraging ISAF to further, effectively support, within its designated
responsibilities, Afghan-led sustained efforts to address, in cooperation with
relevant international and regional actors, the threat posed by the illicit production of and trafficking in drugs,
Expressing also its concern over the harmful consequences of violent and
terrorist activities by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other extremist groups on the
capacity of the Afghan Government to guarantee the rule of law, to provide security and basic services to the Afghan people, and to ensure the full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Reiterating its support for the continuing endeavours by the Afghan
Government, with the assistance of the international community, including ISAF
and the Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) coalition, to improve the security
situation and to continue to address the threat posed by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other extremist groups, and stressing in this context the need for sustained international efforts, including those of ISAF and the OEF coalition,
Condemning in the strongest terms all attacks, including Improvised
Explosive Device (IED) attacks, suicide attacks and abductions, targeting civilians and Afghan and international forces and their deleterious effect on the stabilization, reconstruction and development efforts in Afghanistan, and condemning further the use by the Taliban and other extremist group of civilians as human shields,
