The International Movement for a Just World (Just) today called upon the United Nations to play its role in preventing a war from happening in Afghanistan that may result in the death of thousands of innocent people.

Just president Dr Chandra Muzaffar said the world, including a growing segment of American society, would like to see the world body play its rightful role in preventing the war.

"Since the refugee exodus is bound to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, it is incumbent upon the UN to do all it can to dissuade the power elites in Washington DC and their allies from launching a massive military operation," Chandra said.

"After all, the UN's primary function is to prevent war and to enhance the conditions for peace," he added.

The United States is currently mobilising its troop to the Middle East in preparation of a possible attack on Afghanistan to destroy the terrorist bases of Osama bin Laden who is the prime suspect of the Sept 11 terrorist attacks in the US which cost nearly 7,000 lives.

The former Universiti Malaya lecturer said that a war in Afghanistan would not only result in the deaths of thousands of poor, starving people but also cause a mass human exodus that may turn out to be one of the great catastrophes of our time.

He said Just welcomed the UN's effort to amass US$584 million to provide food to the estimated 7.5 million Afghans in need of humanitarian assistance to survive in the coming winter.

Refugees

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has noted that more than five million people in Afghanistan are dependent on foreign aid for their survival after more than two decades of conflict, seven years of oppressive Taliban rule and three years of severe drought.

According to an AFP report more than two weeks ago, an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 inhabitants have fled Kabul fearing US strikes.

Food prices jumped 30 percent five days ago and panic buying has led to shortages of staple products such as flour and rice, while many shops are closed, according to the refugees.

It was also reported that up to 500 refugees from the Tajik minority have been fleeing from the city every day heading north to their relatives in the Shamali plains and Panjsher Valley.