Canadians to launch Afghan training center

OTTAWA, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Canada announced the launch of a staff and language training center in Kabul, Afghanistan, in a move to promote long-term security goals.

Peter MacKay, Canadian minister of national defense, announced plans to establish the training facility as a way to build up the capability of the Afghan National Army. Officials say participants enrolled at the center will undergo junior staff officer training along with improving language objects.

The announced training center is also part of an effort to provide the Afghan National Army with the skills needed to eventually provide its own security in the country.

"The staff and language training center complements one of Canada's six priorities for our mission in Afghanistan, which is to help the government of Afghanistan maintain a more secure environment and establish law and order by building the capacity of the Afghan National Army," MacKay said in a statement.

"In the near future the Afghan National Army will be able to meet its training requirements through the use of Canadian-trained Afghan mentors and instructors."