Afghanistan Receives New Aid Pledges Of Nearly $2 Billion

British Prime Minister Tony Blair (left) and Afghan President Hamid Karzai in London yesterday for the start of Afghan aid talks (epa)

1 February 2006 -- Afghanistan has received promises of further economic and military support from the international community, including new aid pledges of nearly $2 billion.

The pledges were made on 31 January at a conference in London on reconstruction and reform in Afghanistan.

The United States promised to provide another $1.1 billion in support to the central Asian country, and Britain promised $805 million.

Representatives of some 70 countries and organizations attending the London meeting have also expressed support for helping implement the new "Afghanistan Compact."

This is a document which sets out a five-year plan for economic and social redevelopment in Afghanistan, including steps to improve security, impose the rule of law, and work towards stamping out illegal opium production and corruption.

(compiled from agency reports)