Khost province hosts conference

KHOST, Afghanistan, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Top U.S. military officials, leaders in the Afghan security forces and the Khost provincial governor recently held a leadership conference.

Khost Provincial Gov. Arsala Jamal with all 12 of his district sub-governors hosted the first Khost Provincial Leadership Conference in an effort to discuss security strategies that are working among other topics to keep the Khost province moving in a progressively secure direction.

Leaders from 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, key leaders of the Afghan national security forces and U.S. Navy Adm. William J. Fallon, commander of U.S. Central Command, all attended the conference.

“The purpose of (the) meeting is to build upon the strong relations among the central government of Khost province,” Army Lt. Col. Scott Custer, commander of the International Security Assistance Force unit in Khost, said in a statement.

“Providing a forum for the sub-governors to discuss security matters with Governor Jamal and to create the provincial development and security plan for Khost over the next 12 to 24 months ensures continued growth throughout the province."

Afghan President Hamid Karzai and coalition commanders call the Khost province a model for success in leading efforts against the Taliban and other militants.