Germany welcomes Karzai's anouncement on Afghan security handover
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Berlin, March 23, IRNA -- The German government here on Wednesday 'welcomed explicitly' the announcement of Afghan President Hamid Karzai that his country will take charge of security from western troops in seven towns and regions.
Talking to media representatives in the German capital, government spokesman Steffen Seibert said Karzai's decision highlighted 'concrete' steps in Afghanistan's transition phase.
To launch the beginning of the transition process is a 'political success,' he added.
Seibert reiterated hope that Afghans could take overall security responsibility for their country by late 2014.
He also voiced Germany's 'political intention' to start reducing its troop size in Afghanistan by the end of this year.
Meanwhile, Berlin is to provide up to 300 additional airmen who will serve on NATO airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, which monitor Afghan airspace.
The German parliament is expcted to give green light to their deployment on Friday.
The move is aimed at freeing up allied forces in Afghanistan to move them to the Mediterranean for the western AWACS military missions over Libya.
OT**1420
Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30308884
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