Afghans to take lead in majority of country: NATO

Mons (Belgium): NATO`s top military commander
says he expects Afghan forces will soon start taking charge of
security for three-quarters of the nation`s 28 million people.

In an interview today, Adm James Stavridis did not
elaborate on the timing but said the training of the Afghan
army and police was proceeding very well, despite a rising
number of attacks in which Afghan forces have turned their
weapons on their US and NATO partners.

Stavridis says the target of over 350,000 security forces
members will be achieved this summer, several months ahead of
plans.

The Afghan army and police have already assumed lead
responsibility in large areas of the country, encompassing
about half of the country`s population.

PTI