This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/5408332.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Nato takes over Afghan security Nato takes over Afghan security
(about 3 hours 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 represents the biggest ground deployment in Nato's history.Afghanistan represents the biggest ground deployment in Nato's history.
Some 10,000 US troops have come under the command of Gen David Richards from the UK.Some 10,000 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 31,000.The addition of US troops brings the total number of troops under Nato command in Afghanistan to about 31,000.
Resurgent Taleban
Afghan President Hamid Karzai, along with the top commanders of the two forces involved, attended a ceremony in Kabul marking the handover.
This historic day marks another chapter in the continuing progress of Afghanistan US Lt Gen Karl EikenberryThis historic day marks another chapter in the continuing progress of Afghanistan US Lt Gen Karl Eikenberry
Afghan President Hamid Karzai, along with the top commanders of the two forces involved, attended a ceremony in the capital, Kabul, marking the handover. US commander Lt Gen Karl Eikenberry said this was an "historic day" and paid tribute to the 330 coalition soldiers and 800 Afghan security personnel killed in the past five years.
US commander 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." Gen Richards, promoted to four-star general on Thursday, was bullish about the new force, saying: "If by next spring these improvements are not evident, then I will be surrendering to whoever wants to put me up against a wall."
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. 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 he adds 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. But he adds 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 that has shown the need to pool US forces under Nato command.
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair defended Nato's role in Afghanistan, saying the alliance's presence remains "absolutely critical". UK Prime Minister Tony Blair defended Nato's role in Afghanistan, saying its presence remained "absolutely critical".
NATO TAKEOVER 10,000 coalition troops moved under Nato command31,000 Isaf troops now in Afghanistan8,000 US troops continue training and counter-terrorism separately
"We do not want al-Qaeda and the Taleban back in power in Afghanistan, using it as a training ground for terrorism," he said."We do not want al-Qaeda and the Taleban back in power in Afghanistan, using it as a training ground for terrorism," he said.
He acknowledged that people in Afghanistan had "suffered" as a result of military action against the Taleban. But Mr Blair acknowledged that people in Afghanistan had "suffered" as a result of military action against the Taleban.
His remarks follow a report from the UN refugee agency, the UNHCR, that up to 90,000 people had been displaced by the fighting between Nato troops and the Taleban in southern Afghanistan. His remarks follow a report from the UN refugee agency, the UNHCR, that up to 90,000 people had been displaced by the fighting in southern Afghanistan.
Residents had fled their homes in the Panjwai Valley near the city of Kandahar because they were caught in the middle between the opposing forces, said the UNHCR's Peter Kessler. Southern fears
Bin Laden hunt
Nato's expanded role brings 14 provinces, including Kunar, Nuristan, Laghman, Nangarhar, Paktia, Paktika and Khost, under its control.Nato's expanded role brings 14 provinces, including 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 "to continue the US counter-terrorism lead role as well as providing support to reconstruction, training and equipping of the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police", an Isaf statement said. The 37-nation Isaf said the US would retain control of some 8,000 of its troops for their "counter-terrorism" role and for training Afghan police and soldiers.
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 Kandahar province MP Khaled Pashtun told the BBC World Service's World Today that although the east had more difficult terrain "the government is more in control [there] 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. Nato's Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer told the programme the Taleban were concerned now that Nato had entered what was previously "no-man's land".
"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 TAKEOVER 10,000 coalition troops moved under Nato command31,000 Isaf troops now in Afghanistan8,000 US troops continue training and counter-terrorism separately
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 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 that in the end, Nato's exit strategy will depend not on a military victory, but on the successful economic and political reconstruction of Afghanistan. Nato's supreme commander, Gen James Jones, has said that Nato's exit strategy will depend not on a military victory, but on the successful economic and political reconstruction of Afghanistan.
Have you been affected or do you know anybody affected by the displacements in southern Afghanistan?Have you been affected or do you know anybody affected by the displacements in southern Afghanistan?
You can send any pictures to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100.You can send any pictures to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100.
Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
Name
 Name