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New chief for Nato Afghan force New chief for Nato Afghan force
(about 1 hour later)
UK General David Richards is due to hand over control of the Nato force in Afghanistan to US General Dan McNeil. UK General David Richards has handed over control of the Nato force in Afghanistan to US General Dan McNeil.
During Gen Richards's nine months in charge, the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) has increased from 9,000 to more than 33,000 troops.During Gen Richards's nine months in charge, the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) has increased from 9,000 to more than 33,000 troops.
Commanders who have recently faced a fierce Taleban offensive in the south have asked for further reinforcements to fight the insurgents.Commanders who have recently faced a fierce Taleban offensive in the south have asked for further reinforcements to fight the insurgents.
But so far only the US and Britain have pledged more troops.But so far only the US and Britain have pledged more troops.
CriticismCriticism
It has been a challenging time for Gen Richards, the BBC's Alistair Leithead in Kabul says.It has been a challenging time for Gen Richards, the BBC's Alistair Leithead in Kabul says.
It has been a challenging time for Gen RichardsIt has been a challenging time for Gen Richards
Gen Richards faced Taleban attacks in the south where US, British, Canadian and Dutch troops were deployed in areas previously outside the control of the government, our correspondent says.Gen Richards faced Taleban attacks in the south where US, British, Canadian and Dutch troops were deployed in areas previously outside the control of the government, our correspondent says.
Gen McNeil will take command of the multinational headquarters on Sunday. Nevertheless, he marked the end of his reign by declaring that the conflict in Afghanistan is a "winnable war".
In a BBC interview, Gen Richards said the Taleban commander in the disputed town of Musa Qala in Helmand province, Mullah Abdul Ghafoor, was killed in an air strike overnight.
Speaking to the Associated Press, he said the Taleban had failed to recover from a major battle last year.
"They know in a conventional sense their attempt, which I will give them credit was a good attempt, failed when they gathered 1,000 fighters in one place."
New approach?
Gen McNeil took command of the multinational headquarters in a ceremony on Sunday morning.
He has been based in Afghanistan before, and will take on the Isaf mission of bringing security and development, and helping win over the people for the Afghan government, our correspondent says.He has been based in Afghanistan before, and will take on the Isaf mission of bringing security and development, and helping win over the people for the Afghan government, our correspondent says.
He says there has been some criticism from US quarters of the British policy of making peace deals with local elders - notably in Helmand province where a four-month ceasefire recently collapsed in one town.He says there has been some criticism from US quarters of the British policy of making peace deals with local elders - notably in Helmand province where a four-month ceasefire recently collapsed in one town.
There is an uncertainty as to whether Gen McNeil might take a more direct approach to the counter insurgency but that is yet to be seen, our correspondent says. The new commander is expected to have more troops available to him than Gen Richards could call upon.
There is an uncertainty as to whether Gen McNeil might take a more direct approach to the counter-insurgency but that is yet to be seen, our correspondent says.