UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Four years after the fall of the Taliban, the United Nations says more work is needed to help Afghanistan transition into a peaceful democracy.
As a new parliament was sworn in Tuesday, U.N. Peacekeeping Operations pledged to stay in Afghanistan for the next five years and rebuild security, governance and development eroded by more than 20 years of conflict.
The peacekeeping group urged the International Security Assistance Force to maintain the same level of support for the security of Afghanistan as it has since 2001.
"I think the coalition forces and ISAF have done a remarkable job and we wouldn't have made the progress that we have made without their great contribution," said Undersecretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie Guehenno in Kabul.
He added: "It's important now to continue the effort. The Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police are making progress, but they still need our support and this support should be forthcoming."
ISAF runs civil-military cooperation projects in Kabul that focus on improving existing infrastructure such as rebuilding schools and hospitals and assessing basic needs such as fresh water, electric, power and shelter.
