Kabul  - The United Nations plans to relocate hundreds of its international staff in Afghanistan in the face of mounting Taliban attacks, officials said Thursday.

The decision came more than a week after Taliban militants attacked a UN guesthouse in Kabul, killing five of its international staff and three Afghan nationals.

"The United Nations is taking additional steps to reduce risks to its national and international staff serving in Afghanistan," the world body said in a statement released in Kabul.

"This is in light of the 28 October attack against UN staff in Kabul as well as further ongoing threats," it said.

A UN source said that hundreds of non-essential international staff would be relocated within the country or moved abroad. The source did not want to be named because he was not allowed to talk to the media.

The relocations are effective immediately, the UN statement said. (dpa)