United Nations special envoy to Afghanistan Kai Eide speaks during a news conference in Kabul November 5, 2009. The United Nations said on Thursday it would temporarily evacuate hundreds of its international staff from Afghanistan due to deteriorating security, a sharp blow for Western efforts to stabilize the country. The UN would relocate about 600 of its roughly 1,100 international staff, with some being moved to safer sites within Afghanistan and the rest withdrawn from the country temporarily. The move, a week after five UN foreign staff were killed by militants in Kabul, is a blow for U.S. president Barack Obama's counter-insurgency war strategy, which foresees an influx of civilian assistance alongside extra troops(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    KABUL, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations is Afghanistan would relocate some of its staff from Afghanistan as part of precautionary measures in the militancy-plagued country, a statement of United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said Thursday.

    The step is taking place in the wake of deadly attack on a UN guest house in Kabul on October 28 that left over a dozen people dead including six international staff of the world body.

    "Effective immediately, the United Nations is taking additional steps to reduce risks to its national and international staff serving in Afghanistan," the statement added.

    It also added that the measures, "is expected to involve short-term relocations for some staff while additional security is being put in place."

    However, it added that "the United Nations is fully committed to helping all of Afghanistan's people, as it has been for more than half a century."

    "Every effort will be made to minimize disruption to our activities while these additional security steps are being taken," the statement stressed.