NATO wants to increase strength of Afghan Special Forces

Monitoring Desk

LASHKARGAH: NATO’s Senior Civilian Representative Cornelius Zimmermann has said NATO wanted to increase the strength of Afghan Special Forces.

Cornelius Zimmermann said this in a meeting with Helmand Governor Hayatullah Hayat and other officials at a special meeting during his visit to the province on Monday.

Helmand Governor Hayatullah Hayat briefed the participants about the security situation of the province, governance, peace, election and counter-corruption efforts.

Regarding election, Hayat said the polls would be held without any security concerns in the provincial capital, Grishk, Nawa and Nadali districts. Similarly, election would be held in Garmser, Sangin, Marjah, Washer and Kajaki districts on the proportion of centers and security zones. The election could not be held in the remaining five districts due to consistent insecurity and collapse of the areas.

He proposed that the Independent Election Commission should pave way for election of the collapsed districts in the neighboring districts or provincial capital Lashkargah. It would enable the people of these districts to use their right to vote in the district council election, he added.

On the occasion, NATO’s Senior Civilian Representative Cornelius Zimmermann lauded the efforts and achievements of Helmand provincial administration in various sectors. He said he wanted to share the issues and proposals about Helmand in the upcoming Brussels conference. The foreign ministers and representatives of 29 countries would attend the summit.

The Afghan security and defence forces had got vital achievements in the province, he said. He pledged that NATO would continue cooperation to further strengthen the Afghan forces.

About 3000 foreign troops would come to Afghanistan under the framework of NATO this year, he said. They would assist Afghan forces in consultation, air operations and other sectors, he added. He said NATO wanted to increase the strength of Afghan Special Force.

Welcoming the efforts of the people of Helmand for the restoration of peace, he said war was not the way for the restoration of durable peace. The conflicts should be brought to an end through political settlements.

Stressing on the participation of people in election, he said he would discuss with the concerned agencies to utilize various ways to eliminate the existing issues in this regard. NATO’s Senior Civilian Representative Cornelius Zimmermann also met the religious clerics, tribal elders, influential figures, civil activists and women societies.