335 NATO bases transferred to Afghan security forces

At least 335 various types of NATO military bases andfacilities in Afghanistan have been transferred to Afghan forces.Amin Habibi, head of the transition committee for the transfer of NATO bases toAfghan security forces said while presenting the committee’s report to the NationalSecurity Council (NSC) meeting chaired by the Afghan President Hamid Karzai.Habibi said Afghanistan has taken over 335 various types of bases and facilitiesfrom the NATO forces since the formation of the committee, according to the Afghan(Khaama Press).The National Security Council (NSC) meeting decided to increase the administrativeformation of the Afghan national army and Afghan national police in a bid tomaintain the military bases.Afghan national security advisor also instructed the committee to review thepossible use of other military bases for economic enhancement purposes throughprivate sector. The transfer of the military bases and facilities are part of the NATO forceswithdrawal from Afghanistan as coalition forces are winding down over a decadeold combat mission in Afghanistan by the end of this year.US and NATO forces will have limited presence in Afghanistan beyond 2014 to trainand advise Afghan security forces once the bilateral security agreement betweenKabul and Washington is signed which will pave the way for the signing of a similarpact between NATO and Afghan government to give a legal framework for theimplementation of train and advise mission after 2014.