Afghan peace force: Agreement delayed

The signing of an agreement which will pave the way for the deployment of an international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan has been postponed until tomorrow, it was revealed this evening.

The terms of the military and technical agreement on the size and jurisdiction of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) were finalised earlier today, after several days’ negotiations between the country’s interim government and British General John McColl.

It was hoped both sides would sign the document today, but delays in its translation into Afghanistan’s official language, Dari led to an overnight postponement.