KABUL, Aug 9: Euro corps on Monday assumed command of 7,000 NATO-led international peacekeepers in Afghanistan in a heavily guarded ceremony in Kabul marking the 12-year-old force's first deployment outside Europe.

The 12-year-old European force faces a tough challenge during its six-month command, with security deteriorating ahead of Oct 9 presidential elections as a wave of attacks targets aid workers, officials and troops.

"Afghanistan is now at a crossroads and ... it will be for ISAF to see that things develop in the right direction," French General Jean-Louis Py said as he took over command from Canadian General Rick Hillier.

Py said the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) could extend its reach beyond Kabul and the nine northern provinces in which it operates "pending adequate support" from NATO nations.

ISAF, which has 7,000 troops from 30 countries, was set up by the United Nations in Dec 2001 to help Afghan authorities secure Kabul after the fall of the Taliban government. NATO took over its command late last year.

It has been under pressure for more than a year to deploy to the provinces, where President Hamid Karzai's government wields little power over warlords and individual commanders, to bolster security to allow a free and fair vote.

"The final aim is a stable country and growing economy integrated with the global community," NATO's northern Europe commander General Gerhard W. Back said at the ceremony.

"NATO has a major role to play in helping to develop this environment." General Back said that under Euro corps' command the NATO-led force would continue to work closely with the Afghan government, US-led troops and the UN to smooth the way for the historic presidential polls.

Mr Beck said the postponement of parliamentary elections until April 2005, while not "ideal", presented an opportunity to disarm thousands of Afghan militia soldiers and further train the fledgling national army.

Euro corps is made up of detachments from five European Union countries - Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and Spain. Created in 1992 by France and Germany, it was later put at the service of the European Union and is certified as a NATO rapid reaction force. -AFP