NATO's new secretary-general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, says the military alliance will remain in Afghanistan despite growing opposition in many of its member countries.
Rasmussen was speaking during a visit to the volatile province of Helmand, a day after meetings with Afghan officials in Kabul.
He said NATO would continue to train Afghan army and Afghan police until they take charge of security of their country from foreign troops.
Rasmussen also said NATO troops would help to secure the coming Afghan elections. This is Rasmussen's first visit to Afghanistan as NATO chief, since assuming office on August the 1st.
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO's Secretary-General, said, "I came here to clearly demonstrate that Afghanistan is very high on my agenda, personally and also on the agenda of NATO... I can assure you that NATO and ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) will stay as long as it takes to finish our job"
(CCTV August 7, 2009)
