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Asked to clarify the position for forces families, he said: “Our position is that we will be out of a combat role by 2014 and we will not be present in anything like the numbers we are now by that time. Until then we have a clear role in supporting the transition. The Afghans are in control of two of the three districts in Central Helmand – they will at some point take control of the third one – that’s a process that’s working extremely well.
“Afghan forces planning and executing operations themselves with British troops in support if needed - that is the future for Afghanistan - Afghan security forces taking responsibility for the security of the country. But we will be there with a supporting combat role as required until the end of 2014.
Pressed about Downing Street’s statement yesterday that British troops will step back from their lead combat role in Afghanistan in 2013, he said: “Of course, relinquishing the lead. As the Afghans take responsibility for districts during transition they take the lead and British troops move into a supporting role. That is a crucial part of the evolution to the Afghans being able to take responsibility for the security of their country as a whole. Nothing has changed.”
Yesterday there was confusion at NATO’s headquarters as - even before the meeting got underway - the French, Americans and British all raised the prospect of Afghan combat ending at least a year ahead of schedule.
The alliance’s Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen opened proceedings by declaring all districts would be handed over to local forces by the middle of next year - later retracting that to say the timetable actually remained unaltered.
Exactly when and how NATO disengages from Afghanistan is an issue likely to dominate the organisation’s summit in Chicago in May.
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