UN peacekeepers take to streets of Kabul
UN peacekeepers have begun patrolling the streets of the Afghan capital Kabul today, despite continued disagreement over the exact size and shape of the force planned for the war-torn country.
The advance force which took to the streets today consists entirely of British soldiers.
A failure to reach agreement with Afghanistan’s interim government delayed the deployment of troops and the commander of the contingent is still in talks with Afghan Defence Minister Mohammed Fahim.
Mr Fahim has already said that only 3,000 peacekeepers are needed, and only 1,000 of them will be allowed to police the country.
The others, he said, should focus on logistical and humanitarian operations.
The UN wants at least twice that number of peacekeepers stationed in Afghanistan.
