NATO assumes command Thursday of some 12,000 U.S. troops in eastern Afghanistan, completing the alliance's hold on security throughout the country.
The alliance already commands forces in the North, West and South of Afghanistan, as well as in the capital, Kabul.
NATO will now be responsible for about 33,000 troops, by far the largest ground operation in the organization's 57-year history.
On Wednesday, NATO's top military commander called for more action on non-military aspects of the international effort in Afghanistan. Speaking in Washington, General James Jones said controlling opium production is critical and noted that profits from the trade are funding Taleban guerrillas.
General Jones also said Afghanistan must improve the quality of its new police force and end corruption among government officials.
In other news, the top U.S. intelligence official told VOA the Afghan government must expand its authority over more of the country to stem the resurgence of the Taleban.
John Negroponte attributed the increase in attacks partly to more aggressive actions by NATO forces, which have increased efforts to fight the insurgency along the Afghan-Pakistan border.
The other 8,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan will remain part of the U.S.-led coalition in the country. The U.S. military says about half of those troops will continue to train the new Afghan national army, and others will continue to track al-Qaida terrorists.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters
