News - Afghanistan

Nato's Civilian Representative in Afghanistan, Simon Gass, at a press conference on Sunday said that all security responsibilities will be handed over to Afghan forces by mid 2013.

Foreign forces will hold a supportive role after that, he added.

"The fifth phase of security transition will start in mid 2013," Mr Gass said. "The Nato forces will hold a supportive role afterwards."

He dismissed the comments made earlier by UK's Chief of Defence, General David Richards, who slammed the Nato mission in Afghanistan and called it amateurish.

"I believe he never called Nato mission in Afghanistan amateurish. He may have said that Nato role in Afghanistan could improve," Mr Gass said. "The UK is committed to its role in Afghanistan."

There are reports that Nato allies will decide about a decrease in number of the Afghan troops.

"Talks about number of Afghan troops will also be discussed. The Afghan forces need major financial help after 2014," Mr Gass said. "We haven't decided about this yet."

Meanwhile, some Afghan military experts believe that the United States wants to stop supporting Afghan troops.

Experts are concerned that this may cause the collapse of the government after withdrawal of foreign combat troops.