The United Nations has lifted its two month suspension of activities in the south western Afghan region of Kandahar, held by the Taleban.

A UN spokeswoman in Islamabad said the UN planned to return staff to Kandahar and reopen its offices early next week.

Operations in the region were suspended after the UN complained that a senior Taleban official had assaulted its staff.

The decision to resume activities comes after the signing of the first ever agreement between the UN and the Taleban setting out a code of conduct governing UN activities in Taleban areas.