The Afghan government on Thursday expressed concern over Tehran's decision to expel Afghan refugees and demanded revision over the issue, according to a government official.

 

"We hope that the Islamic Republic of Iran keeps in mind the friendly bilateral relation and suspend the refugees' expulsion," Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesman Sultan Ahmad Baheen told newsmen at a press conference.

 

Iran, according to media reports, has decided to expel some 20,000 Afghans living in the Sistan-Baluchistan province soon.

 

Baheen also urged Iran to respect the agreement among Tehran, Kabul and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

 

"We want the Islamic Republic of Iran to review its decision with regard to Afghan refugees," the Afghan spokesman further said.

 

Besides suggesting negotiation between Kabul and Tehran over the issue, Baheen also called on the international community to contribute humanitarian aid if the refugees are expelled.

 

More than one million Afghan refugees are said to be living in Iran while some 2.5 million others are in Pakistan.

 

Since the collapse of Taliban regime in late 2001, more than 3.5 million Afghan refugees have returned home with majority of them from the neighboring Pakistan and Iran.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 1, 2007)