Pakistan says will implement Afghan sanctions

The Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Abdul Sattar, has said Pakistan will comply with the United Nations Security Council sanctions on Afghanistan.

Mr Sattar was speaking after a National Security Council meeting which discussed the implications of the recent UN sanctions.

Mr Sattar said the Council reiterated Pakistan's solidarity with the people of Afghanistan but he added that Pakistan had an obligation to implement the UN Security Council resolution.

Pakistan, one of three countries that recognises the Taleban as the government of Afghanistan, has warned that further sanctions could trigger a massive exodus of refugees with economic consequences for Islamabad. The sanctions including an arms embargo and the closure of Taleban offices outside Afghanistan, are due to take effect on January 19th if the Taleban does not hand over the Saudi dissident, Osama bin Laden.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service