The senior United Nations envoy to Afghanistan reported encouraging economic growth for that struggling nation. The country's gross domestic product (GDP) has risen by 13.8 percent in the last year after a rise of 8 percent the year before. Growth was only found in three quarters of the country, however, and he acknowledged that the security situation in the south has not stabilized….

Briefing reporters in Kabul, Tom Koenigs, head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), said, "I think the efforts being made at this moment in the southern provinces are very promising," he said. "Looking back over the last four years, the security situation has improved and quite a number of conflicts have ceased to exist, and that is why we are optimistic."

UNAMA will be increasing its presence in the south during this year to strengthen government function and cooperation with Pakistan on security concerns.