(MENAFN- QNA) Italian defense officials have announced to keep around 500 troops in Afghanistan beyond 2014 to participate in the new NATO non-combat mission.
Earlier reports suggested of Italy’s intention to keep around 200 troops.
Italy’s defense minister, Roberta Pinotti told reporters on Tuesday "We will respect the commitments made. I proposed an average of 500 soldiers" to be kept in Afghanistan from 2015, (Khaama) News Agency reported.
This comes as German defense officials said Tuesday that the government of Germany plans to keep around 850 soldiers in Afghanistan to take part in the new NATO mission to train, advise and assist Afghan national security forces.
NATO will launch a new non-combat mission – Resolute Support mission to train, advise and assist Afghan security forces as of January 1, 2015.
The United States and other nations will also keep thousands of troops in Afghanistan beyond 2014 to conduct counter-terrorism operations and train Afghan national security forces.
Around 12,000 soldiers would be needed to implement the new NATO non-combat mission, with United States expected to provide 8,000 troops.
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