AFGHANISTAN: Norwegian Prim Minister pledges five F16 fighter jets to international force in Afghanistan during visit to Kabul

Record ID: 291324

  • Title: AFGHANISTAN: Norwegian Prim Minister pledges five F16 fighter jets to international force in Afghanistan during visit to Kabul
  • Date: 10th December 2005
  • Summary: AFGHAN SECURITY
  • Embargoed: 25th December 2005 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Afghanistan
  • Country: Afghanistan
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA8PF1XYVP9LC2P3NS32C1WWS1D
  • Story Text: Norway is increasing the number of its troops and contributing Five F16 fighters planes to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan at the beginning of next near, Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, announced on Friday (December 9) during a visit to Kabul.
    During a news conference with Afghan president Hamid Karzai Stoltenberg said, "We need the fighter planes to make it more easy for the forces on the ground to do the job and that is also the reason why the F16 fighter plane is part of the ISAF operation, it is not something separate from it."
    Afghanistan welcomed NATO's decision to expand its peacekeeping mission, saying it would boost security. But the Taliban said more alliance troops would only increase opportunities for guerrillas to attack them.
    NATO foreign ministers approved mission rules on Thursday (December 8) for an expanded Afghan peacekeeping force next year, which Washington hopes will allow it to cut U.S. troop levels in the country.
    The agreement leaves the most dangerous counter-insurgency work in the hands of the 20,000-strong U.S.-led force but gives NATO more scope to help Afghan forces with training and other tasks such as disarming illegal groups.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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