Top Afghan General: Army Can Defend Afghanistan İtself

General Staff Chief of Operations, Mohammad Karimi, said on Sunday that the Afghan army is getting more powerful each day and has the capacity to defend Afghanistan by itself. 



Speaking at a graduation ceremony of military officers, Karimi said anti-government forces do not have the capacity to fight against the country's army. 



That is why, he said, they focus more on bomb and suicide attacks.



"The Afghan army has lost the highest number of soldiers in such attacks. Our efforts to find a solution continue. We will buy new vehicles which are durable and resistant to bombs," he said.



Former General Atikullah Amarkhel, however, claimed the country, which does not have air forces, could not support itself. 



Amarkhel said Afghan forces still needed the support of the U.S. and NATO. 



On Sunday, the lower house of the Afghan parliament approved a controversial Bilateral Security Agreement with the U.S. and a Status of Forces Agreement with NATO that would allow foreign troops to stay in Afghanistan beyond 2014.



The Taliban have long voiced opposition against agreements that allow foreign forces to stay in Afghanistan.



The Afghan government, on the other hand, says these agreements will enable American and coalition troops to strengthen Afghan security forces, counter terrorist threats and advance regional security.



www.aa.com.tr/en - Kabil