December 08, 2008	Monday	Zilhaj 9, 1429

KABUL, Dec 7: The United States would deploy the first of its new forces arriving in Afghanistan next year around Kabul, a US general said on Sunday, reflecting fears the Afghan capital was increasingly under threat.

About 4,000 of the additional troops the United States is expected to send will be deployed around the capital.

“They’re going to be positioned south and west of Kabul in the Wardak and Logar provinces,” said Brig-Gen Mark Milley, deputy commander of operations in Afghanistan’s east.

“With the French conducting operations north of Kabul and a new US brigade south and west, and reinforcements east of Kabul, we feel pretty good about seeing some significant improvements in the surrounding provinces of Kabul.”

The decision to deploy fresh troops around Kabul reflects the growing concern among international military leaders over an increase in insurgent activity surrounding the capital.

The Taliban resistance slowed down the internationally back-ed reconstruction of Afghanistan.

The United States, which already has 33,000 troops in Afghanistan, is due to deploy another 20,000 there in the coming months.—AFP