Afghanistan getting stable says Rumsfeld

Staff Report

KABUL: US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said on Thursday that US-led forces in Afghanistan had moved from combat operations to a period of stability and reconstruction.

Speaking at a news conference after talks here with Afghan leaders, including President Hamid Karzai, and leaders of the US-led coalition pursuing Taliban and Al Qaeda remnants, Rumsfeld said:

“We are at a point where we clearly have moved from combat activity to a period of stability and reconstruction.” Rumsfeld said the major part of the country was secure. “I should underline, however, there are still dangers, still pockets of resistance, in parts of the country,” he said.

Rumsfeld said the United States would continue to work with the Afghan government to build a national army to make sure any resistance would be “dealt with properly”.

Home | National