UN deputy chief encouraged by strong consensus in Afghanistan

UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson has been encouraged by a strong consensus among all actors in Afghanistan, a spokesperson said on Tuesday. Wrapping up his five-day visit to Afghanistan, Eliasson praised the country's progress and reaffirmed the support of the UN to Afghanistan's future as it undergoes political and security transition next year and beyond, UN deputy spokesperson Eduardo del Buey said at a daily news briefing. Eliasson said upon his departure that he was encouraged that there was a strong consensus among all actors, from the president to civil society groups, that Afghanistan's achievements of the past decade must be protected as it advances through its political, security and economic transition processes, the spokesman said. During the visit, Eliasson has met with President Hamid Karzai, government ministers, parliamentary speakers, election and human rights officials, as well as representatives from political parties and civil groups. In those meetings, Eliasson conveyed "to all of my interlocutors that the UN is committed to continued partnership with Afghanistan, provided that this is the wish of the Government and the Afghan people," del Buey said. Eliasson's visit came amid a series of attacks in June, including a suicide bombing near the Supreme Court building and a separate attack on Karzai's palace. In the year to June 6, more than 1,000 civilians have been killed and more than 2,000 injured, a 24 percent increase of civilian casualties compared to the same period in 2012, according to a recent civilian casualty report released by UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. Afghanistan is set to hold its third presidential elections on April 5, 2014.