The Afghan government needs intensified training of its military forces before it is to assume responsibility for security of the land, the United States said Wednesday.
US Ambassador Susan Rice, who visited Afghanistan earlier this month with a UN Security Council delegation, said recruitment of Afghan soldiers and the number of international instructors have both increased, DPA reported.
Council members witnessed activities to build a stronger Afghan security force to prepare Kabul for its security leadership, Rice said.
"But much more work remains to be done," Rice said during a council meeting on Afghanistan. "Building a self-sustaining, capable Afghan security forces is crucial to a meaningful and sustainable transition to Afghan leadership on security."
Training a stronger Afghan military is one of major tasks of NATO forces in Afghanistan, which is leading a multinational force to provide security to the Kabul government. The US maintains a separate army to fight Taliban and al-Qaeda insurgents, but it is planning a draw down sometime next year.
The council delegation, headed by Turkish Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan, was in Kabul and Jalalabad June 21-24 for talks with Afghan government officials, legislators and NATO commanders.
Apakan said the visit was "very productive."
"During our contacts, we reiterated the UN Security Council's support and enduring commitment to the people of Afghanistan and the government in furthering peace, development and stability," Apakan said.
Afghanistan will hold legislative elections on September 18 with the technical assistance from the UN mission in Afghanistan. It is planning also an international conference in Kabul, to be co-chaired by the UN, for reconstruction and development.
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