Norwegian troops pulled from Afghan front

KABUL, Afghanistan, May 29 (UPI) -- Norwegian troops in Afghanistan are being removed from front-line fighting against Taliban insurgents with a new assignment of training Afghan forces.

After a monthlong operation against the Taliban in northwestern Afghanistan this month, the Norwegians will now be short of specialist troops necessary to continue their part of any offensive, the Aftenposten Web site reported Thursday. Replacement troops aren't considered capable of operating long-range weapons that have been a large part of Norwegian and NATO success in Afghanistan.

"I'm responsible for the troops," said Lt. Col. Rune Solberg, the new Norwegian commander of the Telemark Batallion told Aftenposten. "They can't be used for missions that they're not equipped to handle."

Norwegian troops have taken part in the Quick Reaction Force under international control during the last two years. It isn't expected that they will see direct action against Taliban militants for some time, Aftenposten said.