Afghan Forces Will be Good Enough to Hold Security: US General

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Afghan forces will be "good enough" to hold their country's security after the complete withdrawal of security troops, a top US General said on Wednesday.

General Curtis Scaparrotti, Deputy US Commander in Afghanistan said that Afghan forces have a way to go before completely taking over the responsibilities.

He also said that the Afghan National Army and Police forces will be good enough to protect their country from insurgents after complete withdrawal of US and other foreign troops by the end of 2014.

"They're going to be good enough, as we build them, to secure their country and to counter the insurgency that they're dealing with now,"
Mr Scaparrotti said.

The statements come as US Defence Minister Leon Pannetta has urged the international community to stand by Afghanistan after 2014 and build a strong force to be capable of defending the country.

At the same time, the Nato member countries expect a growth in the number of Afghan security forces.

The forces are expected to increase to 352,000 by October this year with 195,000 of army and 157,000 of the National police.

The state of Afghan security forces has been taken seriously into consideration as the foreign combat troops are withdrawing from the country.

The General also said that US forces will take a supporting role.

"As we move forward, I see combat as part of what we're doing. You know the insurgency itself, the fact that the ANSF will be in the lead and we'll be supporting and will still be a combat role there," he added.

As previously planned by US President Barack Obama last year, the United States will shrink it's forces to 62,000 by autumn of 2012.

Previously the Nato member countries including France agreed to withdraw all their combat troops from Afghanistan by mid 2013.

There are around 132,000 foreign soldiers in the country with 90,000 of them US troops.

Currently the second phase of security transition is underway and the security responsibility of 18 areas of Afghanistan will be handed over to Afghan forces, the transition is expected to end by mid 2013.

The US and its western allies emphasise on their supportive and training role as the transition ends.

Nato allies hope to have the Afghan security forces grow to 352,000 by October, including 195,000 in the army and 157,000 in the police.