No more troops for Afghanistan, says Belgian minister

Wednesday December 27, 2006 (0027 PST)

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KUNDUZ CITY: Belgian Defence Minister Andre Flahaut has said his country will not send more troops to Afghanistan.

Flahau said this during a visit to the northern Kunduz province to meet his country`s troops stationed under the command of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

The minister said Belgium was eager to play its role in bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan but could not send more troops to that country due to its limited resources.

Flahaut said Belgium was a small country, but it had contributed troops to improve security and help in reconstruction in Afghanistan. "In addition to our help to enhance the capacity of Afghan police and army, we will continue to assist in improving lives of people living in remote areas of Afghanistan," he added.

The visiting dignitary said 300 Belgian soldiers were performing duty at the Kabul International Airport, 18 soldiers in Kunduz and 10 more were stationed in the northern provinces of Balkh and Badakhshan.

Seven European countries, including Belgium, Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland, Romania and Hungary, have deployed 500 troops in Kunduz and the neighbouring Takhar province in the north to maintain security and continue reconstruction.

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