Mohammadi upbeat about security transition

BRUSSELS (PAN): The security transition process, when completed, would have a positive effect on the protection of Afghans, Defence Minister Gen. Bismillah Khan Mohammadi hoped on Thursday.

Speaking Afghan journalists here, Mohammadi said at their two-day meeting, NATO-contributing nations had thoroughly discussed the security switch.

The current security situation in the country, the state of preparedness and improvement of Afghan forces also came up for discussion, he said, adding NATO ministers had reaffirmed their long-term cooperation with Afghan forces.

In response to a query, the minister said Afghan forces, lacking heavy weaponry, needed to be fully equipped so they could deal with all threats on their own.

About increasing militant attacks, Mohammadi said Afghanistan‘s security would remain under threat as long as cross-border terrorist sanctuaries stayed intact. The insurgents and their supporters were trying to fuel the war after the pullout of foreign soldiers, he maintained.

He endorsed Chief of Army Staff Gen. Sher Mohammad Karimi’s claim that agents of Pakistan.

Welcoming NATO’s plan to withdraw combat troops by the end of next year, Mohammadi hoped the Afghans would be able to maintain security across their country.

The minister said talks on the Bilateral Security Agreement, which would guarantee a better future for Afghanistan, were ongoing. Details of American military bases would be worked out once the accord was finalised, he concluded.

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