Italians hand over Herat to Afghans

HERAT, Afghanistan, July 22 (UPI) -- Italian forces have handed over security responsibility for the western Afghan city of Herat to the Afghan military, the NATO force says.

Thursday's transfer of power "represents a first step towards full autonomy for this country," said an Italian military statement reported by ANSA.

Herat is one of seven cities and provinces scheduled to shift to Afghan control in July, with U.S. and NATO forces aiming to complete the process by 2014.

Italy has lost 40 service members in Afghanistan since 2004.