Int'l community underlines support for Afghan gov't

LONDON, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The international community on Thursday underlined its support for the Afghan government and its security, development and governance following the one-day meeting in London.

Participant said in a communique that the challenges in Afghanistan particularly in political, economic, development and security areas are significant and inter-related. Therefore, the nature of international engagement in Afghanistan continues to evolve, in favor of increasingly supporting Afghan leadership in the areas of security, development, governance and economic assistance.

On security, conference participants committed to continue to improve the capability and effectiveness of the Afghan National Security Forces and provide the necessary support to the phased growth and expansion of the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan National Police (ANP) to 171,600 and 134,000 personnel respectively, by October 2011, as approved by the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board (JCMB) on Jan. 20.

The international community also showed its full support for the continued development and implementation of the National Police Strategy and agreed that NATO's plan for transition of Afghan security leadership province by province with the first being transited by late 2010 or early 2011.

Participants also recognized President Karzai's commitment that half of the country would have Afghan leadership within three years and the whole country within five years.

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that the " ultimate goal" in Afghanistan was clear: "To hand over full responsibility to the Afghan security forces."

But he said the idea of setting timetables was premature, adding: "It will be a condition-based but not a calendar-driven process. We have to make sure that the security forces are actually capable to take the responsibility."

He said that international forces would do their utmost to help the Afghans achieve the goals they have set out, saying that "I want to assure the Afghan people that they will not be left behind. "

"It is not a run for the exit. We will stay as long as it takes to secure the country and help them to develop a capacity so that they can run their own country," he added.

On development and governance, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the most important achievement of the meeting is the "unity and coherence" of the international community behind the Afghan government's plan to bring peace and stability to the country.

Speaking at a press conference to wrap up the day-long meeting, he said that the "unifying theme" of the conference was the Afghan people wanted and deserved a better future.

Miliband said the aim of the conference was to align the civilian and military resources of all coalition partners behind a clear political strategy to help President Karzai's government deliver the ambitious agenda that he set out.

"The international community has recognized the need for us to up our game just as we ask the Afghan government to up their game, " he said.