Czech Cabinet Announces Afghan Exit Plan

Afghan National Police are trained by a Czech provincial reconstruction team in Pul-e Alam in Logar Province in 2009.

The Czech government plans to start withdrawing its troops from the NATO mission in Afghanistan, bringing the number down from the current 590 to 170 by the end of 2014.

Czech Defense Minister Alexandr Vondra made the announcement on May 16 in Prague.

The withdrawal plan must now be approved by both houses of parliament.

Most Czech troops work in reconstruction and are deployed in the eastern province of Logar.

The Czech Republic has lost five soldiers on the ground in Afghanistan.

Afghan troops are gradually taking over control of security in the country.

Most of the 130,000 foreign troops are to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014.

Based on reporting by AP and CTK