خبر ها - افغانستان

Afghan security forces took over security responsibilities of Jalalabad city and four other districts of eastern Nangarhar at an official ceremony in the province.

The four districts transitioned to Afghan security forces include Surkhrod, Behsud, Kama, and Khewa.

Chief of the Security Transition Process, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, said that Afghan security forces will take over responsibilities of all other districts of Nangarhar by 2014.

"The security of Nangarhar is connected to Kabul and from Jalalabad to Nuristan, so all the likely threats to different districts have been considered," Mr Ahmadzai said.

Meanwhile, Afghan Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Shir Ahmad Karimi, said Afghan forces are able to maintain security on their own, but they also need people's support.

It is said that Qarghayi district of the neighbouring Laghman province will also be transitioned to Afghan security forces on Friday.

Afghan security forces are to take over security responsibilities of

18 provinces from foreign forces in the second phase of transition to Afghan lead.

Currently Afghan army has 180,000 soldiers, while the number of police forces reaches 150,000.

Afghan security forces are to take over security responsibilities of all provinces by the end of 2014.

It comes as some Afghan military experts warn that the challenges will continue if the recruitment procedure of Afghan security forces is based on parties and ethnic matters.

"All the recruitments are done based on considerations of different parties and circles, and not based on the qualification and education," military expert, Abdul Bari Arez, said.

Chief of the transition process, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, also believes that as far as political figures interfere in the recruitment process, security challenges will continue.