Afghan President Hamid Karzai today announced the beginning of the fifth and last phase of security transition in Afghanistan today. Addressing a function to mark the occasion at Afghan Defence University in Kabul, Afghan President Hamid Karzai described it a very important day in the history of Afghanistan.

He said, Afghan security forces are capable enough to defend their country and by the end of the fifth phase, security responsibility of the entire nation will be on their shoulders. The Afghan President said, Afghanistan as a sovereign nation, will be responsible for its own security as NATO-led International Forces will leave the country by the end of 2014. He urged the international community to help the country in strengthening its security forces as it needs sophisticated weapons, equipment and aircrafts.

Addressing the function, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen welcomed the announcement of the fifth and final phase of the security transition by Afghan President. He said, after the completion of the ISAF combat mission next year, NATO along with its partners, is planning a new mission to train, advice and assist the Afghan security forces. He said, NATO will also play its part in the broader international efforts to ensure the long-term sustainment of the Afghan security forces.

The function was also attended by Afghan Transition Coordination Commission Chief Dr Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, Chairman of the Afghan High Peace Council Chief Salahuddin Rabbani, several Ministers, Speakers of both the Houses of Afghan Parliament, MPs and senior military and civilian officers.

With the last phase of security transition announced today, NATO-led international force has handed over responsibility of defending 95 remaining districts of the country to the Afghan security forces.

These districts also include some of the most disturbed areas of eastern and southern Afghanistan. After the completion of the fifth phase, the role of the International Force will be limited to providing training, support and advice to Afghan security forces.

Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) which includes Afghan Army as well as various police forces of the country, has a combined strength of more than 3,50,000. After the withdrawal of nearly 79,000 strong International Force by the end of 2014 the Afghan security forces will be defending their entire country themselves.