German Defense Minister Meet Her Country’s Troops In Afghanistan

MEP: Along with the arrival of Christmas, the German defense minister met with her country’s troops in Mazar-e Sharif, capital of Balkh province.

Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Mazar-e-Sharif this morning.

German Defense Ministry said the visit coincided with the Christmas takes place at the end of each year.

Initially she visited the regional base of NATO forces in the city in northern Afghanistan.

The interesting point in the report is the unawareness of local authorities in Balkh province, including the provincial governor’s spokesman from the trip of a foreign dignitary in the city.

Muneer Ahmad Farhad, a spokesman for the governor of Balkh province in talks with Middle East Press said: “If Mrs Ursula von der Leyen came in the city, will probably meet her troops in Marmol palace.”

He said bluntly that he is completely unaware from the German Defence Minister’s trip to Mazar-e Sharif.

German Defence Minister’s visit to Mazar-e Sharif comes as last week the country’s parliament extended the mandate of German troops in Afghanistan by the end of 2017.