United States and Afghan troops have launched an offensive in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province. Their aim is to guarantee that electoral officials can fulfill their work in the run-up to the presidential poll due in eight days' time. Taliban rebels are threatening attacks on polling stations and voters.

The United Nations warns that the Taliban have successfully disrupted preparations for the vote in Helmand, their main stronghold in Afghanistan. The UN fears many of Helmand's voters will be stopped from casting their ballots.

photo: Helmand (flickr.com/Foreign and Commonwealth Office)