Sweden prolongs Afghan troop mission

Wed, 15 Dec 2010

Stockholm - Sweden's parliament Wednesday extended to 2013 the Swedish troop deployment in Afghanistan in line with a previous agreement between the government and two opposition parties.

In all 290 members of the 349-seat legislature voted to extend the life of the mission. The current mandate expires at the end of this year.

At present Sweden has a 500-strong force. The decision allowed it to be increased by some 385 extra troops next year, if necessary.

Other components were that Sweden would add two rescue helicopters. A gradual handover to Afghan authorities would begin during 2011. The following year a civilian was to head the Swedish mission that includes civilian aid.

Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt's government is two seats shy of a majority in parliament and needed backing from the opposition.

Over the weekend Sweden experienced its first suicide attack. Two bystanders were injured while the suspected bomber, a 28-year-old Iraqi-born man was the only fatality. The man, a Swedish citizen, sent a threatening email just minutes before the blasts.

The email included audio files with statements in several languages condemning Sweden's involvement in Afghanistan.

Several politicians said during the debate that Sweden should not bow to pressure, including Karin Enstrom, who chairs the joint committee on foreign affairs and defense.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/358344,prolongs-afghan-troop-mission.html.