Swedish forces to stay in Afghanistan by end of 2010

The presence of Swedish forces in Afghanistan is to be extended until the end of 2010, according to a statement published on the government website Thursday.

"This is proposed in the bill to be passed by the Swedish Government on Wednesday. Only with our continued presence can we take long-term action to help phase out military involvement in Afghanistan," Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt said in the statement.

Together with the increase in Swedish development assistance and greater European Union (EU) involvement, the government wants to help ensure that responsibility for the country's development can be transferred to Afghan authorities in due course, said the statement.

Sweden now has about 500 troops in Afghanistan as part of a UN mission of the International Security Assistance Force consisting of 64,500 people from 42 countries, according to the statement.

Sweden will present a program next week for greater EU involvement in Afghanistan and Pakistan, it said.

"Our combined efforts are different components of a policy for peace, democracy and development in Afghanistan and the surrounding region. Extending Sweden's military presence is currently an unavoidable part of this approach," Bildt said.

Source: Xinhua