This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22942013

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Afghans take nationwide security lead from Nato Afghans take nationwide security lead from Nato
(about 3 hours later)
Afghan forces have formally taken over security for the whole of the country from Nato-led troops, completing a process begun in 2011. Nato has handed over security for the whole of Afghanistan for the first time since the Taliban were ousted in 2001.
President Hamid Karzai announced the move at a ceremony during which Nato forces handed over control for the last 95 districts. At a ceremony in Kabul, President Hamid Karzai said that from Wednesday "our own security and military forces will lead all the security activities".
The event marks a significant milestone since US-led forces ousted the Taliban following the 9/11 attacks of 2001. Observers say the best soldiers in the Afghan army are up to the task but there are lingering doubts about some.
Ahead of the event, a suicide bomber killed three people in Kabul. International troops will remain in Afghanistan until the end of 2014, providing military back-up when needed.
The attacker is believed to have targeted the convoy of Haji Mohammad Mohaqeq, an MP and a leader of the Hazara ethnic minority. Mr Mohaqeq escaped with minor injuries. The ceremony came shortly after a suicide bomb attack in western Kabul killed three employees of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and wounded more than 20.
'Brave and committed' The attacker was believed to be targeting the convoy of prominent politician and Hazara leader Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq, who escaped with light injuries.
Both President Karzai and Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen described the ceremony as an historic moment for Afghans. Meanwhile, sources close to Taliban representatives have confirmed to the BBC that they are opening an office in the Qatari capital Doha, possibly as early as Tuesday.
"Our security and defence forces will now be in the lead," President Karzai said in a speech to an audience of Afghan security and political leaders and foreign dignitaries. This has been seen as an important stage in establishing a political face for the Taliban, and President Karzai said he would be sending representatives to Qatar to discuss peace talks with the movement.
"From here, all security responsibility and all security leadership will be taken by our brave forces." 'Remarkable resolve'
Mr Rasmussen paid tribute to the "brave and committed" soldiers in the Afghan armed forces and to those who had "made the ultimate sacrifice to defend their country and their people". Tuesday's ceremony saw the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) hand over control of the last 95 districts in a transition process that began in 2011.
"They have fought to ensure that international terrorism no longer finds safe haven in Afghanistan," he said. The last remaining districts included 13 in Kandahar province - the birthplace of the Taliban - and 12 each in Nangarhar, Khost and Paktika, all bastions of insurgent activity along the border with Pakistan.
This is the first time since the withdrawal of Soviet forces in 1989 that security across the country has become the responsibility of forces led by the Afghan government. President Karzai called it an historic day and a moment of personal pride.
The handover of security control by the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) started with Bamiyan in the summer of 2011. "This has been one of my greatest desires and pursuits," he said, "and I am glad that I, as an Afghan citizen and an Afghan president, have reached this objective today."
The final districts to be handed over include 13 in Kandahar province - the birthplace of the Taliban - and 12 each in Nangarhar, Khost and Paktika, all bastions of insurgent activity along the border with Pakistan. He reiterated a shift in military strategy, ruling out the future use of air strikes on what he called Afghan homes and villages; the issue of Nato air strikes and civilian casualties has long been a sensitive one.
Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Afghan forces were taking up the role with "remarkable resolve" but said there was still 18 months of hard work ahead for Isaf troops.
"We will continue to help Afghan troops in operations if needed, but we will no longer plan, execute or lead those operations, and by the end of 2014 our combat mission will be completed," he said.
'Good enough'
The number of Afghan security forces has been gradually increasing from fewer than 40,000 six years ago to nearly 350,000 today.The number of Afghan security forces has been gradually increasing from fewer than 40,000 six years ago to nearly 350,000 today.
However, as it has taken over more responsibility for security, the Afghan army has suffered a sharp rise in casualties.However, as it has taken over more responsibility for security, the Afghan army has suffered a sharp rise in casualties.
By comparison, international coalition casualties have been steadily falling since 2010.By comparison, international coalition casualties have been steadily falling since 2010.
A high desertion rate among Afghan forces has also meant that thousands of new recruits are needed each month to fill its ranks.A high desertion rate among Afghan forces has also meant that thousands of new recruits are needed each month to fill its ranks.
Despite the challenges, Isaf commander General Joseph Dunford recently told the BBC that the Afghan force is "getting good enough" to fulfil its role.Despite the challenges, Isaf commander General Joseph Dunford recently told the BBC that the Afghan force is "getting good enough" to fulfil its role.
In recent Taliban attacks on the capital Kabul, Afghan rapid reaction police tackled the insurgents without having to call in Isaf forces.In recent Taliban attacks on the capital Kabul, Afghan rapid reaction police tackled the insurgents without having to call in Isaf forces.
The number of Isaf forces in Afghanistan peaked in 2011 at about 140,000, which included about 101,000 US troops.The number of Isaf forces in Afghanistan peaked in 2011 at about 140,000, which included about 101,000 US troops.
Isaf currently has about 97,000 troops in the country from 50 contributing nations, the bulk of whom - some 68,000 - are from the US.Isaf currently has about 97,000 troops in the country from 50 contributing nations, the bulk of whom - some 68,000 - are from the US.
By the end of 2014 all combat troops should have left to be replaced - if approved by the Afghan government - by a smaller force that will only train and advise.By the end of 2014 all combat troops should have left to be replaced - if approved by the Afghan government - by a smaller force that will only train and advise.
The pressure on contributing nations to withdraw their troops has been exacerbated by a series of "green-on-blue" attacks in which members of the Afghan security forces have killed coalition troops.The pressure on contributing nations to withdraw their troops has been exacerbated by a series of "green-on-blue" attacks in which members of the Afghan security forces have killed coalition troops.
At least 60 Nato personnel died in such attacks in 2012. Many more Afghan security force members have died at the hands of their colleagues, in so-called "green-on-green" attacks.At least 60 Nato personnel died in such attacks in 2012. Many more Afghan security force members have died at the hands of their colleagues, in so-called "green-on-green" attacks.
US President Barack Obama has not yet said how many troops he will leave in Afghanistan along with other Nato forces at the end of 2014.US President Barack Obama has not yet said how many troops he will leave in Afghanistan along with other Nato forces at the end of 2014.
Washington has said that the Afghan government will get the weapons it needs to fight the insurgency including a fleet of MI-17 transport helicopters, cargo planes and ground support airplanes.Washington has said that the Afghan government will get the weapons it needs to fight the insurgency including a fleet of MI-17 transport helicopters, cargo planes and ground support airplanes.