LONDON, Oct 4 (AFP) - A group of leading British charities urged Prime Minister Tony Blair on Monday not to abandon Afghanistan following its landmark presidential election this weekend.
In a joint letter to the premier, agencies such as Oxfam and Christian Aid urged Blair to see the vote on Saturday as the starting point for a long-term commitment.
"We now ask you to make a reality of this promise by developing a long-term strategy that will underpin your continued support to Afghanistan and to meet the difficult challenges ahead," the letter said.
"These elections should not be seen as a final benchmark or an end point for Afghanistan, but rather a crucial milestone in the country's path to peace and development."
In all, 18 candidates will be competing in what will be Afghanistan's first-ever direct presidential election, despite fears about violence and potential electoral fraud.
The vote is a key point in international efforts to stabilise the country following the invasion of 2001 which removed the hardline Taliban regime.
Britain, which backed the US-led military campaign, currently has about 550 military personnel in Afghanistan.
Many Afghans had yet to see much improvement in their lives despite the fall of the Taliban, the letter warned.
"Unless we dramatically step up efforts to strengthen the Afghan voice and engage ordinary Afghans in decision-making, there is the grave risk the Afghan people will become dangerously disillusioned with the international effort," it read.
"The possibility of discontent should be taken very seriously as it could lead to greater violence and political instability."