The United Nations is no longer pulling out its national and international staff in Kandahar, as per a deal reached May 2 between U.N. and Afghan officials.
The agreement came a week after the U.N. said it would withdraw its 200-member staff in the area due to security concerns. Violence in the traditional Taliban stronghold increased in recent months, with reported bombings and assassinations of officials. The U.N. staff withdrawal plan drew criticism from Afghan officials.
The Afghan government has pledged to provide more protection to U.N. guest houses and offices, CNN quotes Zaimai Ayoubi, a spokesman for the Kandahar provincial governor.
