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| Nato takes over Afghan security | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Nato alliance has extended its responsibility for security over the whole of Afghanistan, by taking charge of US troops in the east. | |
| The alliance's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) already commands troops in the north, west and south of Afghanistan, as well as Kabul. | The alliance's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) already commands troops in the north, west and south of Afghanistan, as well as Kabul. |
| Officials say the move will make the force more efficient, as it seeks to secure Afghanistan for reconstruction. | Officials say the move will make the force more efficient, as it seeks to secure Afghanistan for reconstruction. |
| Afghanistan is the site of the biggest ground deployment in Nato's history. | Afghanistan is the site of the biggest ground deployment in Nato's history. |
| The addition of some 10,000 to 12,000 US troops in the east brings the total number of troops under Nato command in Afghanistan to about 33,000. | The addition of some 10,000 to 12,000 US troops in the east brings the total number of troops under Nato command in Afghanistan to about 33,000. |
| Security for reconstruction | Security for reconstruction |
| Nato officials quoted by the AFP news agency say the move will be largely symbolic. | Nato officials quoted by the AFP news agency say the move will be largely symbolic. |
| "This is the most significant mission in Nato's recent history," Mark Laity, Nato's spokesman in Kabul, told the agency. | "This is the most significant mission in Nato's recent history," Mark Laity, Nato's spokesman in Kabul, told the agency. |
| "But in practical terms it doesn't have as much impact as going south," he said, referring to the earlier deployment of Nato forces in provinces where the Taleban are making a comeback. | "But in practical terms it doesn't have as much impact as going south," he said, referring to the earlier deployment of Nato forces in provinces where the Taleban are making a comeback. |
| "The east is probably not as challenging as the south but it is still a full-fledged combat mission," Mr Laity is quoted as saying. | "The east is probably not as challenging as the south but it is still a full-fledged combat mission," Mr Laity is quoted as saying. |
| The alliance says it hopes the expansion will enable it to provide adequate security for reconstruction efforts to get off the ground. | The alliance says it hopes the expansion will enable it to provide adequate security for reconstruction efforts to get off the ground. |
| Bin Laden hunt | Bin Laden hunt |
| Nato's expansion on Thursday brings the provinces of Kunar, Nuristan, Laghman, Nangarhar, Paktia, Paktika and Khost under its control. | Nato's expansion on Thursday brings the provinces of Kunar, Nuristan, Laghman, Nangarhar, Paktia, Paktika and Khost under its control. |
| Nato forces have been battling a resurgent Taleban militia since assuming responsibility for southern Afghanistan in July. | Nato forces have been battling a resurgent Taleban militia since assuming responsibility for southern Afghanistan in July. |
| The US is expected to retain control of some 8,000 of its troops - including some special forces and teams training Afghanistan's fledgling army. | The US is expected to retain control of some 8,000 of its troops - including some special forces and teams training Afghanistan's fledgling army. |
| The responsibility for hunting down al-Qaeda's fugitive figurehead, Osama Bin Laden, will remain the responsibility of US forces. | The responsibility for hunting down al-Qaeda's fugitive figurehead, Osama Bin Laden, will remain the responsibility of US forces. |