Cambodia - one of the most heavily land-mined nations in the world - is forming a special team to help remove dangerous explosives from Afghanistan.

National Assembly President Prince Norodom Ranariddh, said it was a proud moment for Cambodia to help the United Nations with a humanitarian operation.

He added it was an opportunity for his country to repay the UN for its assistance in restoring democracy and peace in Cambodia.

Afghanistan, like Cambodia, is littered with millions of unexploded bombs and landmines. Last year, hundreds of people there were killed or injured.

It is estimated that 40,000 Cambodians - about one person in every 250 - have lost limbs to landmines after more than three decades of civil war, which ended in 1998.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service