Moscow calls on UN to harden sanctions against Taliban

MOSCOW, Nov 28 (AFP) - Moscow on Tuesday called for the UN Security Council to harden sanctions against Kabul's ruling Taliban regime during a visit by the UN's special envoy to Afghanistan, Francesc Vendrell.

"The Taliban's support for international terrorism and the transformation of Afghanistan into a centre of drugs trafficking represent a threat to regional and international security," a statement from the foreign ministry said.

This demands "an adequate response from the UN Security Council, such as the hardening of sanctions against the Taliban," the statement added.

Afghanistan which has been labouring under UN aviation and financial sanctions imposed in November last year.

The restrictions came in response to the Taliban's refusal to hand over suspected terrorist leader Osama bin Laden for trial over his alleged involvement in the 1998 US embassy bombings in East Africa that killed 224 people.

Vendrell on Tuesday wrapped up a two-day working visit to Russia, during which he met Russian foreign ministry officials.