Terror lies beyond Afghanistan, envoy says

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UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- State support for transnational terrorist groups continues to undermine peace and stability in Afghanistan, the Afghan foreign minister said.

The United States and the international community have been openly engaged in conflict in Afghanistan since al-Qaida carried out the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

With U.S. forces winding down their mission in Iraq, U.S. President Barack Obama in December focused his military's efforts on turning the tide in the nine-year war.

More recently, the Obama administration has increased its drone strikes on al-Qaida and Taliban targets in Pakistan.

Despite the international effort, however, Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul told the U.N. General Assembly that global promises were left unmet.

"The international community's promise to the people of Afghanistan of a life free from the fear of the threat and exploitation of international terrorism remains unfulfilled," he said.

Instead of Afghanistan, the minister said, the international community should focus its efforts on terrorism beyond the borders of his country.

"If our international partners and allies wish to win the global war on terrorism, they must look beyond villages in Afghanistan and engage in a strategy that will effectively and decisively dismantle organizations and networks that continue -- with immunity -- to support terrorist and radical militants," he said.