Eurocorps Chief To Take ISAF Command In Afghanistan
August 07, 2004
7 August -- The head of Europe's multinational Eurocorps military force arrived today in Afghanistan, where he is due to take over command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
A spokesman for ISAF said French General Jean-Louis Py arrived in Kabul today and is due to take command on 9 August for a term of six months.
Eurocorps was created in 1992 and includes troops from Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Germany, and Spain. The Afghan mission will be its first outside Europe.
Security has deteriorated in Afghanistan recently ahead of presidential elections due in October that the Taliban have vowed to disrupt.
Late yesterday, two Afghan election registration workers were reportedly killed after an ambush on their convoy, which included United Nations personnel. Officials blamed the attack in the south-central Chahar Chino District on Taliban guerrillas.
(agencies)