'Afghanistan needs security help'

United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, says Afghanistan urgently needs more help with security to ensure its presidential elections in October are successful.

In a report to the UN Security Council, Mr Annan said the security situation had seriously deteriorated in some parts of the country.

He expressed concern about the intensification of attacks on electoral, government and humanitarian workers, as well as on Afghan government and international troops.

He added that several of the worst recent attacks occurred in the north and west - areas that were previously considered low-risk.

He also warned that the continuing violence hindered the establishment of sustainable national institutions and the delivery of economic and social assistance.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service