NATO considers post-2014 Afghanistan plans

BRUSSELS, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- NATO and coalition partners agreed to a framework for training, advising and assisting in Afghanistan after coalition troops leave, the defense alliance said.

"When our [International Security Assistance Force] mission ends at the end of 2014, we will offer a new mission to provide training, advice and assistance; this new mission will not be a combat mission," NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Wednesday during a meeting in Brussels.

A more detailed outline will be completed in early 2013 and a finalized plan will be approved by the end of next year, he said in remarks posted on the NATO website.

"We will support the Afghan forces until they can take full responsibility for their country's security," Rasmussen said. "And between now and the end of 2014, as the Afghans continue to step forward, you will see drawdowns and redeployments of ISAF forces. ... This is a careful, deliberate and coordinated process involving all ISAF partners and the Afghan government."

Ministers of the 50 nations represented in the current NATO-led mission stressed their continued commitment to Afghanistan and to completing the transition process by the end of 2014. Ministers also discussed the challenges that remain, including insider attacks on coalition and Afghan forces.

"We have a strong shared interest in working together to confront this threat. And we are dealing with it together," Rasmussen said.

"The enemies of Afghanistan are using insider attacks to try and undermine trust and public confidence. This will not work" he said. "We will not allow the enemy to change our strategy and undermine the trust and confidence we have built."