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ISAF command passes to Germany and Netherlands
Kabul, Feb 10: Germany and the Netherlands today formally accepted command of the 4,200-strong multinational peacekeeping force which patrols Kabul.
Kabul, Feb 10: Germany and the Netherlands today formally accepted command of the 4,200-strong multinational peacekeeping force which patrols Kabul.
At a ceremony in the Afghan capital, Turkish General Akin Zorlu, who has led the 22-nation International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) since June, handed over command of the force to German General Norbert Van Heyst and Dutch General Robert Bertholee. "We have considerably improved security situation and made a significant contribution to the normalisation of life in the city," Zorlu said.
"As I hand over the command to General Van Heyst I extend my best wishes to him."
Accepting the leadership, Van Heyst said, "Although the name and face of ISAF's commanders may change, its purpose will not."
He said that ISAF would "press forward for peace, which will finally allow us to take ISAF troops home."
Van Heyst will command the force with Bertholee as his deputy for the next six months.
The United Nations-mandated force was created in December 2001 after post-conflict talks between Afghan factions in Bonn, Germany. The mandate restricts its deployment to the capital.
ISAF's new leaders are likely to come under pressure from the Afghan government to expand the force into the provinces, where unruly warlords hold sway and President Hamid Karzai's government wields little authority
At a ceremony in the Afghan capital, Turkish General Akin Zorlu, who has led the 22-nation International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) since June, handed over command of the force to German General Norbert Van Heyst and Dutch General Robert Bertholee. "We have considerably improved security situation and made a significant contribution to the normalisation of life in the city," Zorlu said.
"As I hand over the command to General Van Heyst I extend my best wishes to him."
Accepting the leadership, Van Heyst said, "Although the name and face of ISAF's commanders may change, its purpose will not."
He said that ISAF would "press forward for peace, which will finally allow us to take ISAF troops home."
Van Heyst will command the force with Bertholee as his deputy for the next six months.
The United Nations-mandated force was created in December 2001 after post-conflict talks between Afghan factions in Bonn, Germany. The mandate restricts its deployment to the capital.
ISAF's new leaders are likely to come under pressure from the Afghan government to expand the force into the provinces, where unruly warlords hold sway and President Hamid Karzai's government wields little authority
Bureau Report