KABUL (PAN): The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) will establish a new NATO headquarters to oversee higher-level training and mentoring for Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).

The announcement was made on Tuesday by ISAF Commander Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal the new headquarters -- known as NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan (NTM-A), demonstrated NATO's commitment to the war-hit country.

He added: "Through better coordination and collaboration between the various organisations currently supporting ANSF development, we will be able to develop a more streamlined, efficient and effective training programme"

Gen. McChrystal underlined a training programmed that allowed for increased partnership with the Afghan security forces and accelerated progress in this vital security dimension of the ISAF mission in the South Asian country.

Under the new organisational structure, the US-led training and mentoring efforts of the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (CSTC-A) will integrate with NATO-ISAF efforts into a common headquarters.

As a result, the two organisations will synchronise missions under a single, dual-hatted commander to facilitate integration of operations, the NATO-led force said in a press statement.

US Army Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV has been nominated as commander, a position which requires confirmation by the United States Senate. NTM-A's key elements will include the provision of training and mentoring teams to the ANA and the ANP, ANA's institutional training, and ANP reform at the district level and below.

"CSTC-A will continue to mentor the Afghan Ministries of Defence and Interior, and will be responsible for developing the Afghan National Air Corps, the logistics command, and the Afghan national military hospital," the statement added.

mud/pr