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Merkel, Karzai discuss "possible extension" for troops - report

Politics Materials 16 January 2014 08:27 (UTC +04:00)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel telephoned Afghan President Hamid Karzai Wednesday to discuss the status of international forces in his country, including the length of time that German troops would stay in Afghanistan, German magazine Der Spiegel reported, dpa reported.
Merkel, Karzai discuss "possible extension" for troops - report

German Chancellor Angela Merkel telephoned Afghan President Hamid Karzai Wednesday to discuss the status of international forces in his country, including the length of time that German troops would stay in Afghanistan, German magazine Der Spiegel reported, dpa reported.

The telephone conversation covered a "possible extension" in the length of time that German forces, currently numbering about 3,100, would remain, the report said, citing government sources in Berlin.

The extension is a reference to a smaller number of German troops that could stay in Afghanistan after foreign combat troops end their mission in late 2014.

Germany is planning to contribute up to 800 troops to an international effort to advise and train Afghan government forces after the withdrawal of combat troops, depending partly on a stalled US-Afghan security pact.

New German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen, speaking in Afghanistan just before Christmas, said she was keen for Germany to "complete what has been started" in the country.

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