UN to organize effort to help stabilize Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Pakistan says the United Nations will help organize an international effort to overcome the country's massive security and economic problems.

Pakistan faces a dangerous combination of rising Taliban militancy and slowing economic growth, raising concern about the security of its nuclear weapons.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Thursday that the U.N. has agreed to help organize programs to be funded by countries including the United States and Germany.

Donors formed a group called the Friends of Pakistan last year to boost Pakistan's security, economic and social development and energy supplies. Pakistan also took a $7.6 billion bailout last year from the International Monetary Fund.

Qureshi said a donors' conference may take place in Tokyo, but announced no date.