The United Nations mission in Afghanistan has no plans to move out of the southern part of the country despite the deteriorating situation there during the last six months.
"In areas where there is conflict, it is clearly important that everything possible is done to ensure the safety of civilians, as well as ensuring safety for UN and other humanitarian workers," UN Assistance Mission in Afganistan (UNAMA) said.
The mission denied reports that the UN is evacuating its offices in the south. "That is incorrect. What is certainly true is that insecurity presents problems to our work and realistically over the next three months or so insecurity seems likely to continue," UNMA said.
"If staff cant get out to do their work, we will assess staff levels and move people to places where they can be more effective and useful," it added.
On the question of Pakistan-Afghan relations becoming increasingly strained, the mission stressed the need for cooperation.