MONTE CARLO, Monaco -- Afghanistan was officially reinstated as a full member of the International Association of Athletic Federations on Friday.

Athletes from Afghanistan will immediately be eligible to compete at IAAF competitions. The IAAF is the world governing body for track and field.

The IAAF Council unanimously voted for the decision.

"We are very pleased to be able to offer athletes from Afghanistan the opportunity to be part of the family again,'' IAAF General Secretary Istvan Gyulai said. "After so many years of conflict and deprivation, we believe that this is another step in Afghanistan's full reintegration into the world community.''

Afghanistan originally joined the IAAF in 1930.

Following the lead of the International Olympic Committee, the IAAF suspended Afghanistan in 1999, because of the then-ruling Taliban's ban on the participation of women athletes. The IOC lifted its suspension on June 29.