KABUL - The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) commander on Wednesday promised they would not destroy the installations needed by the Afghan government after the withdrawal of foreign troops.
Gen. John R. Allen held out the assurance during a meeting with President Hamid Karzai, a statement from the Presidential Palace said.

Karzai discussed with Allen the transfer of military installations, missile strikes into eastern Afghanistan from Pakistan soil, strengthening of the Afghan air force and reconstruction of the Russian-built Salang Pass.

The statement quoted Gen. Allen as saying that NATO-led force condemned the cross-border incursions and was studying the situation. During his upcoming trip, Allen said he would take up the issue with Pakistan Army chief Gen. Ashfaq Pervez Kayani.

Strengthening and equipping the Afghan air force was an important project, the top US military commander said, adding they would intensify efforts to train Afghan pilots.

With reconstruction work on the Salang Pass continuing, he said $5 million (258.6 million Afghanis) had already been paid to the Afghan government. He added another $19 more would be released in the future. (Pajhwok)