*NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says the alliance has helpedprovide security in Afghanistan for almost two decades, but the Afghangovernment and the Afghan forces are strong enough to stand on their ownfeet in absence of international troops’ support.*

The US and coalition forces started their withdrawal on May 1. So far,nearly one-quarter of the withdrawal has been completed, according to thePentagon.

“I think that the Afghans, they also realize that we have been there nowfor 20 years and we have invested heavily in blood and treasure inAfghanistan,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in an interviewwith The Associated Press.

“Afghanistan has come a long way, both when it comes to building strong,capable security forces, but also when it comes to social and economicprogress. At some stage, it has to be the Afghans that take fullresponsibility for peace and stability in their own country,” Stoltenbergsaid in the interview.

The announcement of the withdrawal has been followed by concerns about thecountry’s political future. But there have been some assurances by Afghanleaders about the management of the situation with their main focus onunity among the people.

He said that NATO allies will continue to support Afghanistan throughcivilian experts who will help to advise government ministries, by fundingthe security forces and with support for slow-moving peace talks betweenKabul and the Taliban.

Stoltenberg, quoted by AP, said that NATO is also “looking into thepossibility of providing some training out of country for the Afghansecurity forces, but no final decision has been taken.”

Violence has remained high in the country despite a three-day ceasefirefrom May 13 to May 15. The Defense Ministry during this week reportedconflicts in at least over 12 provinces on a daily basis.

The situation in Laghman and Baghlan in the east and north of Afghanistanhas been tense over the last two weeks following Taliban attacks on Afghanforces outposts on multiple fronts.

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