Afghan Governors Meet In Kabul Ahead Of Second Security Transition

Afghan officials say the country's security forces are expected to fully or partially take charge of security in 17 of the country's 34 provinces, with provincial governors meeting in Kabul to discuss preparations.

President Hamid Karzai is to detail the transition, which follows an earlier July handover of several areas, at a conference in Turkey on November 2.

Abdul Khalik Farahi, director of the Independent Directorate of Local Government, said the upcoming transition is "opening a new page of history" for the country.

He also said the list of provinces affected is still being finalized, with the majority located in northern and western Afghanistan as opposed to the violence-ridden southern and eastern areas.

Afghanistan is set to fully take over security by the end of 2014.

compiled from agency reports