KABUL - Viewing the security situation in the war-torn country as weak, China has promised Afghan forces assistance in capacity-building.
Addressing the UN Security Council, China's Permanent Representative Zhang Jun said airstrikes and search operations had resulted in increased civilian casualties in Afghanistan.
"Terrorist organisations are still active (in Afghanistan). Drugs are still a major source of income for terrorist outfits," he was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
He added the UN peacekeeping mission would continue to help Afghanistan with security capacity building.
"The international community should provide training, funding and technical support for this, and assist Afghanistan in effectively countering the threat of terrorism, cross-border crime and smuggling of drugs."
Before Zhang spoke, Tadamichi Yamamoto, special representative of the secretary general, noted an uptick in violence in recent days in multiple parts of Afghanistan.
"Recent attacks by insurgents in Kunduz, Baghlan and Farah, and above all in Kabul, are of serious concern," he said, urging parties to the conflict to reduce violence and civilian casualties.
He said the rising number of civilian killings during search operations and airstrikes is also of concern, calling for the parties to review the way they conducted their operations to protect civilians and minimise harm.  (Pajhwok)