Afghan asylum-seekers

GENEVA - The number of Afghans applying for asylum jumped dramatically last year, making them the top group seeking official sanctuary abroad, the UN refugee agency said Tuesday.

Around 26,800 Afghans applied for asylum in 2009, up 45 percent from 18,500 the previous year, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said.

"The ongoing violence in Afghanistan is steadily driving Afghans from their homes," and causing more of them to seek safety in Europe and elsewhere, spokeswoman Melissa Fleming said.