New Zealand to Keep Troops in Afghanistan

News - Afghanistan

Monday, 18 February 2013 12:27 Last Updated on Monday, 18 February 2013 13:02 Written by TOLOnews.com

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said the country will keep a small team of military personnel in Afghanistan to help coalition forces after it formally withdraws from the country in April.

Key on Monday said the country remains committed to international efforts to improve the security and prosperity of Afghanistan.

A group of 27 including three elite special-forces troops will be primarily based in Kabul undertaking planning and intelligence duties.

The initial commitment will be for one year until April 2014.

Last year, the New Zealand announced it was withdrawing from the country in April 2013, five months earlier than previously planned.

The country has stationed about 145 soldiers in central Bamiyan province since 2003. Ten New Zealand soldiers have died in the Afghan war.

Source: http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/9485-new-zealand-to-keep-troops-in-afghanistan

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