The post-Taliban Afghanistan would double the strength of its national army which was set at the historic Bonn agreement nearly seven years ago.
"Afghanistan would have 134,000-strong national army by 2012, but we would achieve the goal one year or 18 months before the time set for," Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak told reporters here after returning from the United States.
International community supporting the rebuilding process of Afghanistan has agreed to facilitate Kabul to have 86,000-strong armed forces which would be met by the end of year, Wardak added.
He also said that talks with the international friends for rebuilding the Afghan air force were going on.
Like other national institutions, the Afghan security forces had been dismantled due to over three decades of war and civil strife.
The war-torn country, in accordance with the Bonn agreement, inked under the auspices of the Untied Nations, would have 70,000 strong new brand army.
Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak speaks during a press conference in Kabul, Afghanistan, Oct. 5, 2008. Wardak said on Sunday that the international troops would remain in Afghanistan till its security situation is improved. However, the Afghan government said the number was still insufficient to ensure security in Afghanistan, stressing the post-Taliban country needs up to 200,000 armed forces to safeguard its boundaries.
Source:Xinhua
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