Afghan President Hamid Karzai says local forces now taking security lead from Nato

[EC]

Tweet only at present. Will update with the article once out.

BBC Breaking News ‏@BBCBreaking 56s

Afghan President Hamid Karzai says local forces now taking security lead from Nato at formal handover ceremony in Kabul

[Rapunzel]

Disaster......... but just bring our boys home, Karzai won't last a year.

[EC]

As usual, AP has the story first: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/blast-afghan-capital-amid-security-transition

Afghan president's forces taking security lead

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghan President Hamid Karzai says his country's armed forces are taking over the lead for security around the country from the U.S.-led NATO coalition.

The handover of responsibility on Tuesday marks a significant milestone in the nearly 12-year war and marks a turning point for American and NATO military forces, which will now move entirely into a supporting role. It also opens the way for their full withdrawal in 18 months.

The handover was marred by a botched bomb attack against an Afghan politician in another part of Kabul. The bombing killed three civilians.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

A large bomb exploded in the Afghan capital on Tuesday, killing at least three people on the day the international military coalition hands over responsibility for fighting the Taliban insurgency to the nascent national army and police they have been training.

More at link, which will be updated through the day.

[EC]

Disaster......... but just bring our boys home, Karzai won't last a year.

Bring our boys home - YES.

Karzai not lasting a year - he might surprise you. He can be a pretty ruthless sod when he doesn't have to play nice for the benefit of the foreigners.

[EC]

And, the BBC story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22942013

Afghan forces have formally taken over security for the whole of the country from Nato-led troops, completing a process begun in 2011.

President Hamid Karzai announced the move at a ceremony during which Nato forces handed over control for the last 95 districts.

The event marks a significant milestone since US-led forces ousted the Taliban following the 9/11 attacks of 2001.

Ahead of the event, a suicide bomber killed three people in Kabul.

The attacker is believed to have targeted the convoy of Haji Mohammad Mohaqeq, the country's second vice-president and a leader of the Hazara ethnic minority. Mr Mohaqeq escaped with minor injuries.