UN Pulling Staff out of Afghan Provinces

RIA Novosti

23:25 30/08/2012 MOSCOW, August 30 (RIA Novosti) - The UN assistance mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) will withdraw its representations in several provinces, the Afghan Pajhwok news agency reported, citing UNAMA chief Jan Kubis.

The news comes a day after an Afghan serviceman shot dead three Australian soldiers and wounded two others at a base near Tirinkot in Uruzgan province.

UNAMA will confine its operations to the zonal level within a few months, Kubis said during a visit to Tirinkot.

Uruzgan province needs more assistance than other provinces in Afghanistan, he said at a meeting with local officials and residents. He also noted that the security situation has improved, but that much remains to be done.

The provinces where the UN is closing its representation will continue receiving international assistance as before, he said.