The third phase of security transition from NATO-led international coalition security forces to Afghan security forces was launched in northern Kunduz province on Wednesday.
The transition ceremony was attended by a number of high level government officials including Afghan interior minister, Afghan chief of army staff, provincial governor for Kunduz province and representatives from International Security Assistance Force.
Afghan Interior Minister Bismillah Mohammadi emphasized on the importance of security transition process to Afghan security forces and said it was an important development towards security field in Afghanistan.
In the meantime NATO officials in northern Afghanistan vowed to continue supporting the Afghan national security forces in this province.
The transfer began on July 2011 and the two first phases led the handing over to the Afghan forces of the 50 percent control of the Afghan population.
NATO has a total of 130,000 soldiers helping the Karzai government fight an insurgency by hardline Taliban militants, and they are due to withdraw by the end of 2014 when the transition process is complete.


