NATO to turn Afghan security control over by 2014

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NATO to turn Afghan security control over by 2014

By SLOBODAN LEKIC and ALAN CLENDENNING

NATO will start drawing down its troops in Afghanistan next July and its combat role in the war-torn nation will end by 2014 or earlier so security can be turned over to the Afghans, a top alliance official said Friday.

"We think that goal is realistic, and we have made plans to achieve it, but of course if circumstances agree, it could be sooner, absolutely," said Mark Sedwill, NATO's top civilian representative in Afghanistan.

Sedwill said the troop withdrawal starting next year will be "shallow" and eventually accelerate but did not elaborate.

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In most provinces, the transition to Afghan-led security is expected to take 18-24 months, said a senior NATO official who spoke on condition of anonymity because plans had not been officially announced. Although, the official said, NATO and Afghan forces have regained the initiative from the rebels, the situation still could turn around.

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