Canadians turn Afghan combat role to U.S.

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KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, July 5 (UPI) -- Canada's combat role as part of the NATO anti-insurgent mission in Afghanistan ended Tuesday as officers transferred the responsibility to U.S. troops.

In a ceremony where the Canadian flag was lowered and replaced by the U.S. flag at a base in Masum Ghar, Col. Michel-Henry St.-Louis noted the base had been Canadian run for almost six years, the Toronto Star said.

"It is with honor and pride that we will complete the transfer by authority," he said in the transfer to U.S. troops under Lt.-Col. Steve Miller.

A minute of silence was observed for the 157 Canadian troops who died in the conflict since it began in 2001.

The newspaper noted it was the first time Canadian soldiers have stepped back from combat in an unfinished war.

Gen. Ahmad Habibi of the Afghanistan National Army also spoke and said he was "deeply touched" by the progress Canadians had made.

"This land where you're standing was in the hands of the insurgents," he said. "Today, we're in a place where the enemy no longer moves freely in groups."

The Canadian government has committed to providing support troops through 2014 in security and strategic planning to Afghan military and police forces.