BISHKEK. Feb 16 (Interfax) - Around 20 terrorist networks comprising over 23,000 fighters are operating in Afghanistan, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said.
"Afghanistan is a link in the chain of the West's endless geopolitical gambles. The United States and its allies should bear primary responsibility for the current dire situation in Afghanistan," Patrushev said at a meeting of security council secretaries on Afghanistan.
"Washington did nothing to improve the situation over 20 years of its presence there. Efforts must be made so that it bears the main financial costs for the post-conflict recovery of the Afghan economy. As we can see, this is not happening," Patrushev said.
"The West planted a time bomb by leaving large quantities of weapons behind during its withdrawal," he said.
"Now they are used to intensify the struggle between domestic Afghan groups, are sold on the black market, and fall into the hands of terrorists in third countries," Patrushev said.
"Besides the Western efforts to bolster its presence in Afghanistan I have just mentioned, I would like to highlight its attempts to use terrorist groups to this end. According to our estimates, about 20 international terrorist networks comprising over 23,000 fighters are operating in Afghanistan," he said.
The severe socioeconomic crisis persists in Afghanistan, the unemployment rate has hit 95%, and around 23 million people in Afghanistan need urgent food aid, Patrushev said.
"The acute socioeconomic crisis continues amid the difficult security situation in Afghanistan," he said.
"The unemployment rate has reached 95%. About 23 million people in Afghanistan need urgent food aid. Over four million internally displaced people are on the brink of starvation," Patrushev said.
Representatives of India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are taking part in the meeting of security council secretaries.