To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the political situation on a regional level in Afghanistan. (144776)

The general political situation in Afghanistan is relatively stable. The influence of the central Government outside Kabul is gradually increasing, particularly in the north and west. Local governance structures are slowly being built up, although this is more challenging in some areas than others. One of the key aims of the international-led provincial reconstruction teams, throughout the country, is to support the development of local government and to help the Government of Afghanistan extend their reach.