KABUL - CEO Abdullah Abdullah said he will meet with security ministers on Monday in order "to take immediate actions in Helmand." He said: "This action will repel enemy attacks."

According to him, the situation in Helmand is a priority right now and new measures have been taken to avoid further instability in the province and to increase security.

"Fresh forces [have been] deployed in Helmand and assigned to duties in places prioritized by ANDSF commanders in the area," he added.

"I praise ANDSF for their fighting spirit against terrorists. They are our heroes and have been instrumental in protecting the nation," he said.

This comes after some officials claimed Monday that Sangin district has fallen to the Taliban. However, confirmation was not immediately available.

Addressing the Council of Ministers (COM) meeting Monday morning, he also spoke of the inauguration of the TAPI pipeline project and Afghanistan's accession to the World Trade Organization.

These were "two major achievements that [will] help our economy and increase employment," he said.

On the establishment of the new Protection and Stability Council, Abdullah said this was a political announcement by former Jihadi leaders and other key figures.

"Requests of this council for reforms, peace, elections and coming Loya Jirga are similar to the requests of the Afghan people," he said.

"Electoral reforms, holding elections and Loya Jirga are priorities of NUG as well. We are committed to reforms followed by elections and Jirga," he said.

In addition he said that while in China last week, he held a meeting on the sidelines of the conference with the Russian Prime Minister and assured him that no one in the Afghan government is assisting Daesh.

Abdullah also said that Japan has pledged $13.5 million USD in aid to Afghanistan's agriculture sector.

However, he said the number of displaced people in the country was worrying as it has increased but says a special meeting will be held soon to discuss the matter. (Tolonews)