Agreement reached on Afghan peacekeeping force

Afghanistan reached agreement with a British general today on the terms of deployment for a long-awaited international security…

Afghanistan reached agreement with a British general today on the terms of deployment for a long-awaited international security force, interim Defence Minister Mr Mohammad Fahim said.

The agreement which took place today with the commander of the peacekeeping force is as follows: "They will begin their work in Kabul and will be based near the Kabul airport, in Puli Charkhi (a suburb to the east) and 200-300 (troops) in a location in the city centre," Mr Fahim said in an interview with Reuters news agency and journalists from Japan.

Mr Fahim had earlier met Major General John McColl, the British commander of the U.N.mandated international force.

"After assurances, they will be stationed in other major areas," Mr Fahim said.

Now, around 3,000 people are supposed to come. Around 1,000 are for security and the rest will be for logistical and humanitarian purposes, he said.

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