LISBON, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Foreign troops are not expected to be operating in a combat role in Afghanistan after 2014, the secretary general of NATO said on Saturday.
Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the aim was to hand security responsibility to Afghan forces gradually between 2011 and 2014, and for foreign troops serving in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan to cease combat.
"I don't foresee ISAF troops in a combat role beyond 2014, provided of course that the security situation allows us to move into a more supportive role," Rasmussen told reporters.
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