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| NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen [FILE PHOTO] |
Brussels: NATO has welcomed President Karzai’s announcement of the
fourth group of Afghan provinces, cities and districts to undergo transition in
the coming months.
With this decision, the Afghan security forces will be
taking the lead for security for 87% of the Afghan population and 23 of the 34
Afghan provinces.
“This is a
significant step towards our shared goal of seeing Afghans fully in charge of
their own security by the end of 2014. It is the result of the progress we have
made together, and thanks to the courage and resolve of the Afghan people, the
Afghan forces and our ISAF troops and trainers. The Afghan army and police are
steadily growing in capacity and confidence. They already lead the vast
majority of operations, are responsible for most of the training, and are
highly trusted by the Afghan people,” NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh
Rasmussen said in a statement.
Rasmussen asserted that NATO will continue to support Afghanistan
throughout the transition process.
“After our combat mission is completed at the end of 2014,
we will remain committed to Afghanistan, with a new mission to train, advice
and assist Afghan security forces, which we are currently planning,” he further
said.