Gholamhossein Dehghan who was speaking in a UN Security Council meeting to extend the UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, told the meeting that the year 2014 was important for Afghanistan, “since the country has presidential elections and foreign troops will withdraw from the country,” expressing hope that a strong will by Afghanistan government would bring peace, stability, and economic and social development to the country.
Iran’s ambassador to the UN also voiced concerns over the escalating number of civilian deaths in Afghanistan which usually fall victim to international force operations. “The Islamic Republic of Iran condemns targeting civilians with the pretext whatsoever,” told Dehghan to the meeting.
He pointed to refugee returning to Afghanistan and fighting drugs as the main source of income for extremists and terrorists and called for international and bilateral cooperation in the issue.
Dehghan emphasized on the UN’s pivotal role in reconstruction and restoring political and economic order in Afghanistan, and announced Iran’s support to UNAMA’s activities.
He also congratulated Afghan people on Norouz. “Norouz, The Iranian New Year’s Day, has been recognized by the UN as an international festivity day,” said he, and wished a year for Afghanistan when peace and felicity embrace Afghan people.
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