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Afghan forces able to take security responsibility: NATO

Other News Materials 13 June 2011 15:31 (UTC +04:00)
Afghan National Security Forces ( ANSF) are ready and capable to take the security responsibility of their country, spokesman of NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said on Monday.
Afghan forces able to take security responsibility: NATO

Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) are ready and capable to take the security responsibility of their country, spokesman of NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said on Monday, Xinhua reported.

"The point is not, will they be able, the point is, they are already able to plan and execute operations alongside with us, but over time more and more independently," Brigadier-General Josef Blotz told reporters at a press conference here.

NATO plans to transfer control of seven areas including three provinces to Afghan soldiers and police in July this year.

The process of security transition will start in July this year and runs to 2014 in order to pave the way for withdrawal of over 140,000-strong NATO-led ISAF forces with nearly 100,000 of them Americans.

The strength of ANSF at the moment is 297,000 which include army, police and other personnel of law enforcing agencies. The strength of ANSF would reach to 305,000 by October this year, according to NATO's spokesman.

"The Secretary General of NATO said that NATO is confident that the handover of security can be completed by the end of 2014," spokesman of NATO's civilian representative Dominic Medley said at the same press conference here.

"In July, Afghans will take security lead in seven provinces and districts, representing some 25 percent of the population, that is a significant start to transition," Medley asserted.

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