Nato take over peacekeeping in Afghanistan

Nato was taking command of the 5,000-strong international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan’s capital today, a historic move that marks the alliance’s first operation outside Europe since it was created 54 years ago.

Nato spokesman Mark Laity told reporters in Kabul yesterday that the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) will continue operating exactly as before, with the “same mission, same mandate, same banner”.