The Security Council,

Having considered the situation in Afghanistan,

Recalling the previous statements of the President of the Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan, including the statements of 15 February 1996 (S/PRST/1996/6) and of 28 September 1996 (S/PRST/1996/40), and the letter dated 22 August 1996 from the President of the Security Council addressed to the Secretary-General (S/1996/683),

Recalling also resolution 50/88 of the General Assembly,

Noting the Joint Declaration made on 4 October 1996 by the leaders of Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan concerning developments in Afghanistan (S/1996/838),

Expressing concern over the continuation and recent intensification of the military confrontation in Afghanistan which have caused civilian casualties and an increase in refugees and displaced persons, and which seriously endanger the stability and peaceful development of the region,

Deeply concerned about the discrimination against women and other abuses of human rights in Afghanistan,

Stressing the need to prevent further civilian casualties, and noting in this context the proposals, inter alia, for an immediate ceasefire, exchange of prisoners of war and the demilitarization of Kabul,

Urging all Afghan parties to resolve their differences through peaceful means and achieve national reconciliation through political dialogue,

Stressing the importance of non-interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan and the prevention of the flow of arms and ammunition to all parties to the conflict in Afghanistan,

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan,

Convinced that the United Nations, as a universally recognized and impartial intermediary, must continue to play the central role in international efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the Afghan conflict,

Welcoming the willingness expressed by Member States during the Security Council meeting of 16 October 1996 to support the dialogue among all the parties and to facilitate the negotiations aimed at political settlement of the conflict,

1. Calls upon all Afghan parties immediately to cease all armed hostilities, to renounce the use of force, to put aside their differences and to engage in a political dialogue aimed at achieving national reconciliation and a lasting political settlement of the conflict and establishing a fully representative and broad-based transitional government of national unity;

2. Stresses that the main responsibility for finding a political solution to the conflict lies with the Afghan parties;

3. Calls upon all States to refrain from any outside interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan, including the involvement of foreign military personnel, to respect the right of the Afghan people to determine their own destiny and to respect the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Afghanistan;

4. Calls upon all States immediately to end the supply of arms and ammunition to all parties to the conflict in Afghanistan;

5. Reiterates that the continuation of the conflict in Afghanistan provides a fertile ground for terrorism and drug trafficking which destabilize the region and beyond, and calls upon the leaders of the Afghan parties to halt such activities;

6. Expresses its regret at the civilian casualties inflicted by landmines and calls upon all parties in Afghanistan to desist from the indiscriminate use of landmines;

7. Requests the Secretary-General, in cooperation, as he deems it necessary, with interested States and international organizations, in particular the Organization of the Islamic Conference, to continue his efforts to promote the political process;

8. Reaffirms its full support for the efforts of the United Nations, in particular the activities of the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan in facilitating the political process towards the goals of national reconciliation and a lasting political settlement with the participation of all parties to the conflict and all segments of Afghan society;

9. Calls upon all Afghan parties to cooperate with the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan, and encourages all interested States and international organizations to take all steps necessary to promote peace in Afghanistan, to support the United Nations efforts to this end and to use any influence they have to encourage the parties to cooperate fully with the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan;

10. Demands that all parties fulfil their obligations and commitments regarding the safety of United Nations personnel and other international personnel as well as their premises in Afghanistan, not hamper the flow of humanitarian assistance and cooperate fully with the United Nations and associated bodies as well as with other humanitarian organizations and agencies, in their efforts to respond to the humanitarian needs of the people of Afghanistan;

11. Denounces the discrimination against girls and women and other violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Afghanistan, and notes with deep concern possible repercussions on international relief and reconstruction programmes in Afghanistan;

12. Calls upon all States and international organizations to extend all possible humanitarian assistance to the civilian population of Afghanistan;

13. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to keep the Security Council regularly informed on the basis of information received from the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan on the political, military and humanitarian situation, and to make recommendations on achieving a political settlement;

14. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report on the implementation of this resolution by 30 November 1996;

15. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.