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Poland to take over security in Afghan province

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WARSAW:Polish troops in Afghanistan will soon take over responsibility for security in a central province of the country from U.S. forces, the Polish defense ministry said.

Poland has about 1,200 troops in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) fighting the Taliban and backing the Kabul government and plans to boost this figure by a further 400 soldiers.

"We are moving to take over Ghazni province... The next contingent heading to Afghanistan in late October to early November will be deployed there," ministry spokesman Robert Rochowicz said.

"We will have full responsibility for the province but we will be able to seek American help if needed."

Polish troops are currently scattered across Afghanistan. The United States, which has about 15,000 troops in the country, has been urging its allies to take a bigger share of the burden in the fight against the Taliban.

Poland, the largest ex-communist country in NATO, joined the alliance in 1999 and first sent troops to Afghanistan in 200.

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