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Nato to complete Afghan takeover Nato to complete Afghan takeover
(about 2 hours later)
The Nato alliance is set to extend its responsibility for security over the whole of Afghanistan on Thursday, by taking charge of US troops in the east. The Nato alliance is set to extend 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 total number of troops under Nato charge in Afghanistan will number about 33,000 with the addition of some 10,000 to 12,000 US troops in the east.The total number of troops under Nato charge in Afghanistan will number about 33,000 with the addition of some 10,000 to 12,000 US troops in the east.
Security for reconstructionSecurity 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 huntBin 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 last year.Nato forces have been battling a resurgent Taleban militia since assuming responsibility for southern Afghanistan last year.
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.