Afghan forces have formally taken over security for the whole of the country from NATO-led forces, completing a process which began in 2011. President Hamid Karzai announced the move at a ceremony during which NATO forces handed over control for the last 95 districts of the country. The event marks a significant milestone since US-led forces ousted Taliban.
Ahead of the event, a suicide bomber killed three people in Kabul. The attacker is believed to have targeted the convoy of Haji Mohammad Mahaqeq, the country's second vice president and a leader of the Hazara ethnic minority. Mr Mohaqeq escaped with minor injuries.
NATO's handover of security control started with Bamiyan in 2011. The final districts which were handed over today include 13 in Kandahar province and 12 each in Nangarhar, Khost and Paktika, all bastions of insurgent activity along the border with Pakistan.