Sweden reduces its troops in Afghanistan by the year 2013

The Swedish government has announced it decided to make further reductions in number of its troops deployed in Afghanistan by the year 2013, since Kabul takes greater charge of security, press reports published here Friday said . The Afghan Khaama press said today that Sweden also announced an agreement to extend its mission there through the end of 2013. Sweden has currently deployed 500 troops serving under the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan which is expected to reduce by 200 and as of the summer of 2013, Sweden estimated it would have a 300-strong contingent in Afghanistan. The Swedish government also said it had agreed with the opposition Social Democrats and Greens to extend the Swedish troop deployment to the end of 2013. Swedish forces would likely focus on training Afghan forces, the government said, adding it planned to increase its civilian aid to Afghanistan, Europe Online reported. The government needed backing from the opposition, as it is two seats shy of a majority. Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said the “gradual reduction” of troops was in line with a 2010 agreement between the government and the two opposition parties