Iran, UN Agree On Shape of Future Afghan GovernmentIranian President Mohammad Khatami reached consensus Tuesday in Tehran with visiting UN envoy for Afghanistan Lakhdar Brahimi on the principle of forming a broad-based coalition government in future Afghanistan.During his meeting with Brahimi, Khatami reiterated the need for the participation of all Afghans in their future government, Iran's official IRNA news agency reported. "When the ground is paved for the direct participation of the Afghan people in their future, caution should be taken that an imposed government is not formed," the moderate president was quoted as saying. Brahimi, describing Iran's stance on Afghanistan and regional developments as "careful and proper," expressed hope that cooperation between Iran and the U.N. in assisting Afghan refugees would be further expanded. The participation of all Afghan groups in a coalition government is "the most urgent need in Afghanistan," he agreed, adding "it is necessary that the Afghan people present a plan on their future." In another related development, the U.N. envoy told a local press conference Tuesday that the Afghan nation now faces both crises and opportunities. Afghan people are expected to be rescued by determined international efforts to help in humanitarian aid, political shaping and post-conflict reconstruction, he said. |
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