Australian PM welcomes Afghanistan's security transition plan
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Monday welcomed Afghan President Hamid Karzai's announcement of a second tranche of provinces, cities and districts set to shift to Afghan-led security forces.
The Afghan president said that six provinces, seven cities and dozens of districts, including three in Helmand, among Afghanistan 's most dangerous areas, will pass from foreign to local control.
Gillard said when the transition of this second tranche is completed, Afghan national security forces will have lead security responsibility for around half of Afghanistan's population. Australia will continue to train and mentor the Fourth Brigade of the Afghan National Army in Uruzgan to ensure the province is well positioned to commence transition.
"President Karzai's announcement underlines the progress made this year and shows the Afghan government's goal of assuming lead responsibility for security across Afghanistan by the end of 2014 is on track," Gillard said in a statement.
"Australia will continue to train and mentor the fourth brigade of the Afghan National Army in Uruzgan to ensure the province is well positioned to commence transition," she said.
The extract date has not yet been decided for the transition process to start in Uruzgan Province, where Australia's training and mentoring efforts are concentrated. However, the announcement is another step towards the withdrawal of most of 140,000 mainly U. S. foreign troops in Afghanistan by the end of 2014.
About 1,550 Australian troops are currently training and mentoring some 3,500 Afghan soldiers. The government is planning on a withdrawal of most troops by 2014, and is considering leaving behind Special Forces, based in the capital Kabul and Kandahar of Afghan.
English.news.cn 2011-11-28 16:07:12 FeedbackPrintRSS
CANBERRA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua)
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