Afghan aid pledges reach $10.5bn

The money is pledged to try and reverse terrible poverty

International donors have pledged more than $10.5bn (£5.9bn) in aid to Afghanistan over the next five years after a key conference in London.

The plan, known as the "Afghan Compact", offers more funds to the Afghan state thanks to its "improved government accountability".

The US pledged $4bn to Afghanistan, while the UK pledged $900m over the next three years.

Japan, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank also pledged money.

The BBC's Afghanistan correspondent, Andrew North, says it is not clear how much of this aid is from fresh pledges and how much had already been promised.

But there are encouraging signs for Afghanistan that the international community remains committed to rebuilding the country, he says.

'Grateful'

Afghan President Hamid Karzai had told the conference much progress had already been made.

But he warned drugs and terrorism remained grave threats.

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"We are very grateful for these pledges. We are delighted and thrilled that this has been a successful conference," said Jawed Luddin, chief of staff to President Karzai.

"We are grateful to the international community for showing once again that they care about Afghanistan. This has been a boost for the Afghan people," he said.

A statement from the co-chairmen of the London Conference on Afghanistan said the amount pledged "exceeded the budgetary requirements of the government of Afghanistan in the next financial year".

Mr Karzai said Afghanistan needed $4bn in international aid annually.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said: "The transformation of Afghanistan is remarkable but incomplete. And it is essential that we all increase our support for the Afghan people."

Officials from about 70 nations attended the two-day gathering.

'Road to success'

Our correspondent, Andrew North, says Afghanistan's huge illegal drugs trade remains a major concern among the international community.

Guide to life in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is the source of nearly 90% of the world's opium and heroin, with the illegal drugs trade accounting for a third of the country's economy.

President Karzai said it would take at least 10 years to eradicate poppy growing in his country as part of the counter-narcotics effort.

But Mr Karzai said: "Afghanistan would like to continue on its road to more success, prosperity and Afghanistan will remain a great asset for security in the region and the globe."

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan warned that Afghanistan's future remained in the balance.

"Terrorism, extreme violence, the illicit narcotics industry and the corruption it nurtures threaten not only continued state-building, but also the fruits of the [December 2001] Bonn process," he said.

The conference came as Nato prepares to expand its role in Afghanistan with the deployment of an extra 6,000 troops amid renewed concern about the level of violence in the country.