KABUL - Turkish officers working in the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan and other officers who were brought from Turkey will give training to Afghan National Guard Battalion which is in charge of protecting Afghan Head of State Hamid Karzai and the presidential palace.
Afghan Chief of General Staff Muhammed Asýf Dilaver, Afghan Deputy Defense Minister Atikullah Baryale, Gen. Mehmet Emin Alpman, the acting commander of ISAF and other guests participated in the ceremony held for training of Afghan National Guard Battalion.
Addressing the ceremony, Gen. Alpman said that a trained army is necesary in Afghanistan for peace and stability to prevail.
Alpman said that 16 officers and non-commissioned officers brought from Turkey and 14 officers and non-commissioned officers working in ISAF will train the Afghan Battalion.
The training programme which will be given to 400 Afghans, will last for nearly ten weeks. Turkish Armed Forces will also give 500 uniforms and necessary equipment and munitions to these Afghan soldiers.
The battalion was earlier trained by British officers when ISAF was commanded by Britain.