Turkey 'due to confirm peacekeeping role in Afghanistan'

Turkey is expected to confirm that it will take control of peacekeeping in Afghanistan within days.

Britain was due to surrender leadership of the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) this month.

While Turkey has agreed in principle to take on the task, the UK's role has been extended until June. Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon has already admitted it may last longer.

However, an unnamed senior British military source in Kabul said ISAF chiefs were "very hopeful" Turkey would confirm its commitment.

British troops will continue to serve with ISAF, helping to police Kabul, even when the UK relinquishes its lead role.

The source said: "Maybe we will get a decision next week. It seems to be coming to that stage. I sense it is coming to that point."

There are just 271 Turkish soldiers with the 4,500 ISAF force in Kabul. In comparison, Britain has 1,429 mainly drawn from the 1st Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment.

The new transitional Afghan government is due to take office on June 22 and the current ISAF leadership would like to see a successor at the helm of the peacekeeping force two days earlier.

The Turkish government must make a final decision within three days to realistically make that deadline, the source said.

He added: "I would be surprised and disappointed if they don't finally put their hands up. If they don't, I would understand because it is a difficult thing to do but I am very hopeful. It would be a great thing for Turkey, the country and the region. You have to take a leap of faith."