UN says Afghan transition is 'on track'

The top UN envoy in Afghanistan says the country's transition to handling its own security and development is "on track."

The top UN envoy in Afghanistan says the country's transition to handling its own security and development is "on track."

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But Staffan de Mistura told the UN Security Council the international community must assure Afghanistan that it will not be abandoned in 2014 when the NATO-led alliance is scheduled to hand over security to Afghans.

De Mistura said the UN has no intention of abandoning Afghanistan.

Afghanistan's UN Ambassador Zahir Tanin welcomed President Barack Obama's decision to gradually withdraw US forces and to move "to a more solid and enduring partnership beyond 2014."