Citing Security Concerns, U.N. Relocating Half Its Foreign Staff In Afghanistan

Enlarge Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

Some U.N. staffers left immediately after last week's attack.

Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

Some U.N. staffers left immediately after last week's attack.

Increasing violence in Afghanistan, and in particular the attack last month on a guest house in Kabul that left five of its staff dead, has convinced the United Nations to relocate about half of its foreign staff in the country. Many will be leaving Afghanistan at least temporarily.

The U.N. said its decision is " in light of the 28 October attack against U.N. staff in Kabul as well as further ongoing threats. ... It is expected that they will involve short-term relocations for some staff while additional security is being put in place."

The Associated Press says about 600 "nonessential staffers" will be moved. It isn't known how many will leave the country.

The head of the U.N.'s mission in Afghanistan vowed that this does not mean it is ending or scaling back its work there.

"We are not talking about pulling out and we are not talking about evacuation," Norwegian diplomat Kai Eide said. "We are simply doing what we have to do following the tragic event of last week to look after our workers in a difficult moment while ensuring that our operation in Afghanistan can continue."