Nato to take direct control in Afghanistan

Nato will soon assume direct control over most military operations in Afghanistan, a move that will place 12,000 more US troops under its authority, a spokesman for the alliance has said.

The expansion will consolidate military command under top Nato leader British Lt. Gen. David Richards and phase out the role of US Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry, whose troops will be transferred to Nato, alliance spokesman Mark Laity said yesterday in Kabul.