Foreign ministers from NATO member states have agreed to extend key training and support in Afghanistan beyond 2016. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says the Afghan forces have been benefiting from NATO's training, advice and assistance, but the country continues to face serious security challenges.

NATO's financial support for the Afghan security forces now exceed US$1.4 billion . The alliance has built up the Afghan army to some 350,000 troops but the Taliban remain a major threat. Some analysts believe the government would struggle badly or even fall without foreign support.