Russia warns of Afghan instability risk to region

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday warned of the rising risk of instability emanating from Afghanistan in recent weeks.

He issued his message at the Regional Connectivity Conference of Central and South Asian nations, taking place in the Uzbekistan capital.

Lavrov said the "quick degradation" of the security situation in Afghanistan followed the uncertainty left by the withdrawal of US and NATO forces.

The resulting crisis had led to an "exacerbation of the terrorist threat" and an increase to an "unprecedented scale" in illegal drug trafficking.

The Taliban have overrun dozens of districts in Afghanistan since the start of the final phase of the withdrawal of US and NATO troops after a 20-year military presence

Lavrov warned that the instability in Afghanistan could spill across its borders into neighbouring countries.

He added that Russia remained committed to helping a dialogue between the Afghan parties.