KABUL/NEW YORK - The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, today briefed a special Security Council session on the situation in Afghanistan.

Lyons highlighted the deteriorating security situation, increased violence, high toll of civilian casualties and the unfolding humanitarian emergency.

“Afghanistan is now at a dangerous turning point. Ahead lies either a genuine peace negotiation or a tragically intertwined set of crises.”

The envoy, who is also head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) warned of a pending catastrophe and urged the Security Council and international community to urgently act, “to prevent Afghanistan from descending into a situation of catastrophe.”

Lyons said that the war in Afghanistan had entered a new deadlier and more destructive phase. She called for a halt to the Taliban offensive against Afghan cities.

The Special Representative for Afghanistan appealed for an immediate ceasefire, an urgent resumption of peace negotiations.

Read the Security Council briefing by SRSG Lyons