Afghan Forces Take Control of Kandahar Districts

Afghan security forces officially took over security responsibility from the Nato forces for Kandahar city, Daman, Dand and Arghandab districts in southern Kandahar province on Wednesday.

Afghan Defence Minister Gen. Abdul Rahim Wardak said at a ceremony marking the occasion that the Afghan national security forces are ready to take security responsibilities from foreign troops.

"We trust the ability of the Afghan security troops in Kandahar. They will ensure security in the province," he said.

"The Afghan security forces will launch the night operations on their own," he added.

Meanwhile, Kandahar governor Toryalai Wesa said that the local troops "can handle security responsibility in Kandahar city and the districts" but he took the opportunity to request more assistance with equipment.

"We have problems in our air defences - we need airplanes and helicopters for our air force," he said.

It comes as Afghan troops were officially handed security responsibility of nearby southern Uruzgan province by their Australian counterparts, as part of the third phase of the national security transition.

The process, which formally began Tuesday, will take 12 to 18 months, officials said.