BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO's top official says the transition of security responsibility in Afghanistan will continue unchanged, despite the alliance's decision to scale back joint operations with the Afghan army and police.
The move follows a series of attacks by Afghan forces or militants wearing Afghan uniforms that have killed 51 coalition troops in Afghanistan this year.
NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen (AHN'-derz fohg RAHS'-moo-sihn) calls the suspension of joint operations "prudent" but temporary. Speaking to reporters in Brussels, he cast the decision in a positive light, saying it proves Afghan forces are "already capable of operating on their own."
NATO plans to hand over responsibility for the war to its Afghan allies by the end of 2014, and Fogh Rasmussen says the alliance remains committed to that goal. He adds the measures taken "to reduce the risks facing" coaltion troops won't change the overall strategy.
