UN wants Pakistan-Afghan border reopened

United Nations officials say they remain concerned about Pakistan's continued closure of its border with Afghanistan.

The UN coordinator for Afghanistan, Erick de Mul, said Pakistan was an ultimate safety net for Afghans facing extreme insecurity or economic distress because of drought.

Speaking in Islamabad, Mr de Mul said the UN was especially concerned about Afghan minorities who might be denied their right to asylum as a result of the border closure.He added that there were already about two-hundred-thousand displaced persons inside Afghanistan -- and aid agencies were facing an uphill struggle in trying to support them without adequate funds.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service