Story by Lt. Karin Erikkson
Sweden Armed Forces
MAZAR-E SHARIF, Balkh Province, Afghanistan - A ceremony held on Wednesday in the Balkh governor’s office in Mazar-e Sharif celebrated the commencement of the transition to an Afghan security lead in Balkh province. Gov. Atta Mohammed Noor, along with head of the Transition Commission, Dr. Ashraf Ghani, welcomed the next step in the Afghan-led process.
Balkh province is in the second phase of the transition process, where half of Afghanistan's population will be under the lead of Afghan National Security Forces. The security in Balkh province has increased to a level where ANSF are capable of shouldering additional security tasks with less assistance from ISAF.
The deputy commander of PRT Mes, Lt. Col. Joni Lindeman, representing ISAF during the ceremony said, “As we are now entering the transition in Balkh, I want to emphasize that the international community has a long-term commitment to Afghanistan. Our role is changing, but our commitment will endure.”
The senior civilian representative at PRT Mes, Ambassador Henrik Landerholm, who gave a speech at the ceremony, said that he looks forward to continued cooperation with all Afghan authorities in the coming years to ensure conditions remain stable and people benefit from better services and living conditions.
German Ambassador Rüdiger König was also a speaker at the ceremony. He said that Germany will continue to aid Afghanistan for a long time.
| Date Taken: | 01.26.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 01.27.2012 04:37 |
| Story ID: | 82913 |
| Location: | MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AF |
| Web Views: | 127 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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