Afghanistan announces plans for security handover

Afghanistan unveiled on Tuesday plans for its forces to take over security in seven areas of the country, including the capital of the embattled Helmand province, from Nato this summer. The announcement launches a transition as foreign troops plan an exit by the end of 2014.

REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

"The people of Afghanistan don't want foreigners to take responsibility for security any more," President Hamid Karzai said during a speech delivered before graduating Afghan military officers on a base at Kabul airport.

Karzai announced Afghanistan will take "full security responsibility" for seven areas of the country, including Lashkar Gah, capital of the volatile Helmand province.

Apart from Lashkar Gah, the provinces and cities to come under Afghan control are away from the south, where the fiercest fighting occurs.

Security in Helmand has improved since the United States deployed an extra 30,000 troops in Afghanistan last year.

But the US agreed with other countries contributing to Nato operations last year to begin moving troops to supporting roles and putting combat operations in Afghan control.

The handover will test the readiness of Afghan forces to face a Taliban-led insurgency and a time when civilian and military casualties are at record levels.

Karzai said the relatively stable provinces of Bamiyan and Panjshir, Mazar-i-Sharif in the north, the western city of Herat, the capital Kabul and surrounding areas and part of Laghman province were also to come under Afghan control.