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Nato takes over Afghan security Nato takes over Afghan security
(about 1 hour later)
Nato has taken charge of Afghanistan's eastern provinces which have been under the control of US forces since the Taleban were ousted five years ago.Nato has taken charge of Afghanistan's eastern provinces which have been under the control of US forces since the Taleban were ousted five years ago.
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 represents the biggest ground deployment in Nato's history.
Some 12,000 US troops have come under the command of Gen David Richards from the UK.Some 12,000 US troops have come under the command of Gen David Richards from the UK.
The addition of US troops brings the total number of troops under Nato command in Afghanistan to about 32,000.The addition of US troops brings the total number of troops under Nato command in Afghanistan to about 32,000.
This expansion was always expected, but it is nonetheless something of a vote of confidence in the alliance from the Americans, says the BBC's defence and security correspondent Rob Watson. Afghan President Hamid Karzai, along with the top commanders of the two forces involved, attended a ceremony in the capital, Kabul, marking the handover.
But it is happening sooner than planned, which reflects the struggle being faced by UK, Canadian and other Nato troops against a resurgent Taleban in southern Afghanistan, our correspondent adds. Coalition commander, US Lt Gen Karl Eikenberry, said: "This historic day marks another chapter in the continuing progress of Afghanistan and underscores the alliance's commitment to helping the Afghan people rebuild their country."
"This is the most significant mission in Nato's recent history," Mark Laity, Nato's spokesman in Kabul, told the AFP news agency. This expansion was always expected, but it is nonetheless something of a vote of confidence in the alliance from the Americans, says BBC defence and security correspondent Rob Watson.
"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 that area. But it is happening sooner than planned, which reflects the struggle being faced by UK, Canadian and other Nato troops against a resurgent Taleban in southern Afghanistan - a struggle which has shown the need to pool US forces under Nato command, our correspondent adds.
The alliance says it hopes the expansion will enable it to provide adequate security for reconstruction efforts to get off the ground.
Bin Laden huntBin Laden hunt
Nato's expansion on Thursday brings the seven provinces of Kunar, Nuristan, Laghman, Nangarhar, Paktia, Paktika and Khost under its control.Nato's expansion on Thursday brings the seven provinces of Kunar, Nuristan, Laghman, Nangarhar, Paktia, Paktika and Khost under its control.
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, and the Taleban will remain with the US forces.The responsibility for hunting down al-Qaeda's fugitive figurehead, Osama Bin Laden, and the Taleban will remain with the US forces.
The eastern provinces are considered by many to be an al-Qaeda stronghold.The eastern provinces are considered by many to be an al-Qaeda stronghold.
But a member of parliament for Kandahar province and deputy chairman of parliament's internal security and intelligence committee, Khaled Pashtun, told the BBC World Service's World Today that the east of the country was safer than the south.But a member of parliament for Kandahar province and deputy chairman of parliament's internal security and intelligence committee, Khaled Pashtun, told the BBC World Service's World Today that the east of the country was safer than the south.
"We believe in the east that the people's situation is very different from the south, and the government is more in control than in the south."We believe in the east that the people's situation is very different from the south, and the government is more in control than in the south.
"Of course, in the very mountainous area, like in the Konar province, there is the al-Qaeda presence in the area. The east is more mountainous and more dangerous from a geographical point of view, but in general, we believe they will be more in control compared to the south." "Of course, in the very mountainous area, like in the Konar province, there is the al-Qaeda presence in the area. The east is more mountainous and more dangerous from a geographical point of view."
Nato's Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer told the programme there were good reasons why Nato was right to tackle these difficult areas.
"One of the reasons that the Taleban and other spoilers are trying to chase Nato out is that Nato is entering what has been no-man's land until recently.
"Nato brings in twice the force the coalition had in the area, and nobody, be it Taleban, be it drug-lords, will appreciate it very much if they see forces coming in and chasing them out."
Nato's supreme commander, Gen James Jones, has said in the end Nato's exit strategy will depend not on a military victory, but on the successful economic and political reconstruction of Afghanistan.