Afghan, NATO forces build security plan for election

KABUL, May 5 -- Afghan troops backed by the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) started brewing a plan to ensure a safe and secure environment for the approaching Presidential election set on August 20, officials said on Tuesday.

"For the security of election, there are about 95,000 Afghan National Army and the same number or more police forces," Gen. Azimi told journalists in a joint conference with Gen. Richard Blanchette, the ISAF spokesman.

Azimi asserted that a security planning for the upcoming election has been started and the Afghan government with cooperation of the NATO and other alliances would use its all capacity and capability to maintain a better security for election.

Meantime, Richard Blanchette reassured the alliance's commitment to the war-torn country saying that "we have witnessed a major meeting of world leaders who have renewed their commitments for support of the people of Afghanistan as they resist insurgency, as a result there are more international troops, civilian and financial resources and development assistance flowing to Afghanistan."

"The forces generation process will continue," Blanchette added, "We are confident that ISAF supports will assist Afghan security forces to ensure the security of some 7,000 polling stations."

Afghanistan' second presidential election in the post-Taliban country would be held on August 20 this year, as Taliban militants have vowed to launch a spring offensive against Afghan and international troops in the central Asian state.