German parliament approves extension of Afghan military mission
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Berlin, Jan 28, IRNA -- The German parliament approved a one-year extension of the Afghan military mandate amid mounting public opposition to Berlin's controversial operation in that war-stricken country.
Some 420 legislators voted in favor of renewing the mission until February 2012, while 116 opposed it and 43 abstained.
For the first time ever, the motion focused on concrete plans for a German troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Berlin hopes to begin the pullout by the end of this year and conclude the withdrawal by 2014, depending on the Afghan security situation.
Germany has deployed around 4,900 troops in Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
OT**1420
Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30209819
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