[07/February/2010]

KABUL, Feb 7 (Saba) -- New representative of the NATO alliance to Afghanistan, Mark Sedwill, has said the international community was in Afghanistan to help in peace efforts, according to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

Speaking to journalists here on Sunday, Sedwill said the foreign troops would leave the country once peace is restored here.

Sedwill, who was serving as UK ambassador to Kabul, has now taken charge as NATO's representative to Afghanistan.

He said the stance of the Afghan government regarding the peace efforts was open and the international community was supporting the same.

Besides security, the NATO representative said they would also help in ensuring good governance in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Commander of the NATO troops in Afghanistan Gen. Stanely McChristal said they had employed new tactics to stop the Taliban roadside bombing tactics.

He said the insurgents used landmine bombings as their main weapons the past year, adding that foreign troops were launching the operation in southern Afghanistan to help ensure writ of the state there.

Earlier, the Taliban rejected President Karzai's peace offer and termed the same a "farce." In a statement posted on their web site, the Taliban said they would not surrender and would not be duped with the offers of money as announced by Hamid Karzai.

Saba