Council expresses 'utmost concern' over wide-scale fighting in Kabul.

• Position: United Nations Security Council; Kabul, Afghanistan

Security Council members, in a 12 August statement, expressed "utmost concern" over the wide-scale fighting which had broken out in Afganistan's capital city of Kabul, resulting in heavy loss of life and property, "including to foreign missions and their personnel".

Council members urged the Afgan Government to "take every measure to ensure the safety and security of all diplomatic and international missions", and called upon all those involved to cease the hostilities and establish the necessary conditions for the safe evacuation of foreign personnel.

On 10 August, Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali noted with concern that fighting in Kabul had intensified in recent days and was extracting a high toll in lives and property. "It is highly regrettable that after 4 years of war in that devastated country, the people of Afghanistan are still experiencing death, destruction and suffering", he said.

Mr. Boutros-Ghali called upon all parties involved to exercise restraint. They must lay down their arms and begin a dialogue at once to bring peace and security to their war-torn country. If the UN was to continue its humanitarian and other operations in Afghanistan, the safety and protection of UN personnel, property and premises should be assured. Governments of neighbouring countries and concerned regional organizations should use their influence in helping to end "this tragedy", he added.

In a 14 August statement, the Secretary-General noted that the fighting had escaled even further, with heavy loss of life among the unarmed civilian population. He again appealed for maximum restraint and for a dialogue that would lead to a peaceful solution

On 25 September, the foreign ministers of the Council's five permanent members supported the Secretary-General's efforts in securing a peaceful transition of power in Afghanistan. The...