Former Afghan militiamen wait their turn to hand over their weapons during a Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintergration (DDR) program in Kabul, 30 June 2005.

KABUL, June 30 (Xinhuanet) -- Over 60,000 Afghan former combatants have been disarmed over the past 20 months as two phases of the UN-backed Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration program (DDR) concluded Thursday, a spokesman of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said.

    "Today, June 30 marks the end of Disarmament, Demobilization process of the DDR program to dismantling the Afghan military forces and as of yesterday DDR has resulted in disarming 61,417 former combatants," Adrian Edwards told reporters at a news conference.

    Under the nationwide and ambitious program, according to the spokesman, 34,726 light and medium weapons had been collected and handed over to Afghan Defense Ministry.

    However, he admitted that the authorities have failed to provide job to all the disarmed former combatants as promised by officials on the day of the commencement of their disarmament.

Former Afghan militiamen carry weapons to hand them over during a Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintergration (DDR) program in Kabul, 30 June 2005.

    "Today is not the end of the reintegration elements of DDR which continues until mid 2006. So far reintegration has been made available for 52,509 people," Edwards emphasized.

    Initially, under the ambitious program launched in October 2003,some 100,000 former militias loyal to different commanders were supposed to be disarmed and reintegrate to civilian life.

    However, Afghanistan has failed to accomplish the program on stipulated time as it launched the second phase of the DDR some two weeks ago to target illegal armed groups and collect weapons from any individuals who keep them unlawfully.

    The Afghan government, which has been desperately struggling to get the country rid of illegal weapons, has time and again called upon its citizens to turn in their arms and ammunition voluntarily and help stabilize security in the post-war nation.

    "After today no one will be allowed to use or move weapons other than security organizations," said the spokesman. Enditem