NATO to take over in Afghanistan

Kabul: NATO will assume responsibility for security across Afghanistan from Thursday, senior officials said on Tuesday.

NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) already commands forces in the north, west and south. On Thursday, it takes command of 10,000 US troops in the east.

"In two days, NATO security assistance will be expanded to all of Afghanistan and most of the US forces that are still operating on their own command right now in the east will join the overall ISAF organisation," said NATO's senior representative Daan Everts.

Alliance officials say that bringing the country under one command will improve military efficiency.

With the inclusion of US troops in the east, the NATO force in Afghanistan will be at least 33,000.

Violence has surged in Afghanistan this year, with insurgents testing the alliance's will and ability, NATO officials said.

At least 140 foreign troops have been killed, raising opposition to Afghan involvement. However, the number of insurgents killed is higher at 2,500.