Belgian Army Chief In Afghanistan

KABUL: (Middle East Press) The Head of the Belgian Army General Gerard Van Caelenberge has arrived in Afghanistan to pay a surprise visit to the Belgian troops that are stationed there as part of NATO’s ISAF mission.

After arriving at Kabul Airport, General Van Caelenberge took a helicopter to the centre of the Afghan capital where held discussion with the Commander of the ISAF mission, the American General Joseph Dunford.

General Dunford is now approaching to the end of his permission as ISAF Commander.

The NATO mission in Afghanistan is due to expire at the end of this year. There are currently around 200 Belgian troops in Afghanistan. This is just a third of the number that was in the country at the high of the foreign troop presence there.

Most of the Belgians are placed in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif and the southern of Kandahar province.

Six Belgian F-16 fighter jets are also positioned in Afghanistan to offer air cover to ISAF ground troops.