To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

The security situation in Afghanistan remains stable but fragile. Elements opposed to the democratic process continue to carry out periodic attacks against the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and coalition forces, international and Afghan NGO personnel, and the Afghan people. Such attacks are likely to increase in the run-up to parliamentary and provincial elections in September. As with the presidential election in October 2004, ISAF and coalition forces will support the Government of Afghanistan's efforts to provide a secure environment for the elections.