The security around the country is broadly stable. Neither Taliban nor other illegal armed groups pose a credible threat to the democratically elected Afghan Government. But the stakes are high for control of the south, which is why the Taliban continue to fight.

The NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) is in Afghanistan to provide the secure environment necessary for reconstruction and development to take place.

Afghan Security Forces are increasingly contributing to securing their own country, although more needs to be done to help them achieve this.

Rule of Law

Embedding the rule of law is key to ensuring long-term security and stability to Afghanistan. The UK is supporting the Afghan Government's objectives on rule of law by providing mentoring and advice, promoting international co-operation and unity of effort and focussing on specialist counter-narcotics law enforcement.

Progress is being made: In Helmand we have established three new justice councils to provide community-based dispute resolution and are extending these this year (2009). We have also helped to develop justice and civil society programmes to provide justice, including legal education.

Helping Afghanistan and Pakistan to ensure their own security, stability, growth and development is vital for both the Afghan and Pakistani people and for our own national security.