Germany to keep 850 soldiers in Afghanistan

KABUL next year to help train Afghan armed forces, a German defense ministry spokesman said on Tuesday, when German Development Minister Gerd Müller held talks with Afghan leaders in Kabul.

A slightly larger contingent than it had previously expected, Germany had been planning to reduce the number to a force of 600 to 800 soldiers from January 2015. Some 3,200 German soldiers have been in Afghanistan as part of a NATO-led mission.

The spokesman said the number had been increased slightly, as the German military would continue to be responsible for the international mission in northern Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Müller, who arrived in Kabul today, held talks with President Ashraf Ghani and CEO Abdullah Abdullah.

In talks with President Ghani and CEO Abdullah, Müller praised the new Afghan leadership for its strong political commitment and expressed support for their joint effort, a statement from the German Embassy said.

Muller also reaffirmed that Germany would adhere to the commitments made in Tokyo. He also met national economic adviser Dr. Omar Zakhiwal and signed an agreement for 245.51 million euros in funding for reconstruction.

pr/ma

Visits: 0