US to open talks with Taliban as security switched

The Taliban announced they would open the facility in Qatar to try to find a political solution to the war in Afghanistan.

Senior Obama administration officials, who did not want to be named, described the Taliban’s move to open the office as a stepping stone to full Taliban renunciation of al-Qaida.

The development came as President Hamid Karzai announced at a ceremony yesterday Afghanistan’s armed forces are taking over the lead for security nationwide from the US-led Nato coalition,

The handover of responsibility is a significant milestone in the nearly 12-year war and marks a turning point for American and Nato military forces, which will now move entirely into a supporting role. It also paves the way for their full withdrawal in 18 months.

Mr Karzai said at the ceremony, held at the new National Defence University built to train Afghanistan’s future military officers: “This is a historic moment for our country.”

He said that, in the coming months, coalition forces will gradually withdraw from Afghanistan’s provinces as the country’s security forces replace them.

In announcing the fifth and final phase of a process which began at a Nato summit in Lisbon, Portugal, in November 2010, Mr Karzai said “transition will be completed and Afghan security forces will lead and conduct all operations”.

Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the coalition would help militarily if and when needed but would no longer plan, execute or lead operations.

Alliance training since 2009 dramatically increased the size of the Afghan National Security Forces, bringing them up from 40,000 men and women six years ago to about 352,000 today.

After transition, coalition troops will move entirely into a supporting role – training and mentoring, and in emergency situations providing back-up for the Afghans in combat, mainly in the form of air strikes and medical evacuation.

Mr Rasmussen said: “Ten years ago, there were no Afghan national security forces. Five years ago, Afghan forces were a fraction of what they are today.

“Now you have 350,000 Afghan troops and police. A formidable force. And time and again, we have seen them dealing quickly and competently with complex attacks. Defeating the enemies of Afghanistan, and defending and protecting the Afghan people.”

Afghans will now have the lead for security in all 403 districts of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces. Until now, they were responsible for 312 districts nationwide, where 80 per cent of Afghanistan’s population of nearly 30 million live. Afghan security forces were until now carrying out 90 per cent of military operations around the country.

Foreign forces will continue to support Afghans on the battlefield when they require it, but the Afghan army and police will be responsible for planning and leading military operations against the insurgency.

“As your forces step forward across the country, the main effort of our forces is shifting from combat to support,” said Mr Rasmussen.

“We will continue to help Afghan troops in operations if needed. But we will no longer plan, execute or lead those operations. And by the end of 2014, our combat mission will be completed.”

The handover paves the way for coalition forces – currently numbering about 100,000 troops from 48 countries – to leave.