UNITED NATIONS, July 15: The United Nations has issued a stern warning to Pakistan-backed Taliban against their behaviour towards aid agencies and non-governmental organisations in Afghanistan and said it may be forced to withdraw its personnel from areas under their control.Taliban must know that not only is there a limit to what the United Nations could stand but there are growing pressures, particularly from the donor community, to state that limit, special envoy of UN secretary general Lakhdar Brahimi said.The latest warning came after the Taliban ordered all NGOs operating in Kabul to relocate their staff housing to dormitories on the campus of a city polytechnic; non-complying NGOs would be forced to leave the country, Taliban have said.Talking to newsmen after briefing the Security Council, Brahimi expressed concern over renewed heavy fighting between various factions, saying it is "very worrying".To take stock of the serious situation, the UN has convened a meeting of the representativesof Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, China, the United States and Russia on Friday.The meeting is also expected to consider the issue of Taliban putting fresh restrictions on the UN staff.In one of his strongest attacks on the Taliban, Brahimi charged them with breaking their agreement with the UN.Shortly after the briefing, the Security Council issued a statement deploring the continued unabated military aid, including supply of arms, from outside to warring groups in Afghanistan.The Council also reiterated its concern over the continued human rights violations and discrimination against women as well as violation of international humanitarian law.Briefing newsmen, Brahimi listed closure of schools, new order issued every day and restrictions on women working in the United Nations system based on their religion among the problems facing the world body.Brahimi said despite the pact situation in Afghanistan had not improved.In May, a 23-point memorandum of understanding was signedby the two parties outlining the code of conduct on both sides. Subsequently, the UN had lifted the embargo on its aid programme.When asked about reports that NGOs might pull out because of the dormitories issue, Brahimi said the UN has already termed the Taliban actions as "unacceptable"."None of the decisions taken by the Taliban lately concerning humanitarian work seemed to be the right ones," Brahimi said.He said his personal view is that the agreement that has been reached is indispensable even if it contained weaknesses. It is necessary to talk to the Taliban and seek a basis for humanitarian work to be carried out under acceptable conditions."If such conditions are not established, the UN would have to remind the Taliban that they had signed an agreement and they must implement it or see the UN go elsewhere," he said.
