Afghanistan: Armed Forces Take Back Control

Afghan armed forces are taking back responsibility for control of the country for the first time in nearly 12 years.

The handover from the US-led Nato coalition was announced at a ceremony in Kabul.

"This is a historic moment for our country and from tomorrow all of the security operations will be in the hands of the Afghan security forces," Afghan President Hamid Karzai said at the ceremony, held at the new National Defence University built to train Afghanistan's future military officers.

President Karzai in Qatar earlier this month

It marks a turning point for US and Nato military forces, which will now move entirely into a supporting role.

It also opens the way for their full withdrawal in 18 months.

Britain's Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the handover was a "hard-fought milestone".

Speaking after visiting Afghanistan last week, he said: "Afghanistan will continue to face challenges as it builds towards becoming a secure and stable state.

"The Afghanistan our combat forces leave at the end of 2014 will not be perfect, but will be able to stand independently and will never again provide a haven for terrorists to attack the West.

"That is why we remain firmly committed to supporting Afghanistan beyond 2014 and into the future."

Alliance training since 2009 has dramatically increased the size of the Afghan National Security Forces, bringing them up from 40,000 men and women six years ago to about 352,000 today.

After the transition, coalition troops will provide training and mentoring, and in emergency situations providing the Afghans backup in combat, mainly in the form of air strikes and medical evacuation.

Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said: "Ten years ago there were no Afghan national security forces. Five years ago, Afghan forces were a fraction of what they are today.

"Now you have 350,000 Afghan troops and police. A formidable force. And time and again we have seen them dealing quickly and competently with complex attacks. Defeating the enemies of Afghanistan and defending and protecting the Afghan people," he said.

Foreign forces will continue to support Afghans on the battlefield when they require it, but the Afghan army and police will be responsible for planning and leading military operations against the insurgency.

The handover paves the way for coalition forces - currently numbering about 100,000 troops from 48 countries - to leave.

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