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Nato takes over Afghan security Nato takes over Afghan security
(20 minutes later)
The Nato alliance has extended its responsibility for security over the whole of Afghanistan, by taking charge of US troops in the east. 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 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. Some 12,000 US troops have come under the command of Gen David Richards from the UK.
Security for reconstruction The addition of US troops brings the total number of troops under Nato command in Afghanistan to about 32,000.
Nato officials quoted by the AFP news agency say the move will be largely symbolic. 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.
"This is the most significant mission in Nato's recent history," Mark Laity, Nato's spokesman in Kabul, told the agency. 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.
"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. "This is the most significant mission in Nato's recent history," Mark Laity, Nato's spokesman in Kabul, told the AFP news agency.
"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. "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.
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 seven 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.
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, and the Taleban will remain with the US forces.
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.
"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."