国际英语新闻：NATO SG: Military alone no solution to Afghan problem

KABUL, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The new Secretary General of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Wednesday ruled out the military alone as solution to Afghan imbroglio.

    "We have to realize that there is no military solution solely to the situation in Afghanistan and we need a broader perspective and comprehensive approach," NATO's top man told a joint press conference with President Hamid Karzai here.

New NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen speaks during a joint press conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai (not pictured) at the presidential palace in Kabul August 5, 2009. Anders Fogh Rasmussen arrived in Kabul on Wednesday to meet with Afghan officials.

He further stressed that military efforts, hand in hand with a strong commitment from the international community to reconstruction in Afghanistan, is essential for having solution.

    Meanwhile, NATO's chief said that peace talks would be held with "those who lay down their arms."

    He also said that more than 40 countries are present in Afghanistan and "I can assure you to remain in Afghanistan as long as needed."

New NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen (L) and Afghan President Hamid Karzai attend a joint press conference at the presidential palace in Kabul August 5, 2009. Anders Fogh Rasmussen arrived in Kabul on Wednesday to meet with Afghan officials.

This is the first visit of Rasmussen to Afghanistan as NATO chief since assuming office on Aug. 1.

    The former Danish Prime Minister over the rebuilding of Afghan national security forces said that the alliance would continue to train Afghan army and Afghan police until they take charge of the security of their country from the international troops.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai speaks during a joint press conference with New NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen (not pictured) at the presidential palace in Kabul August 5, 2009. Anders Fogh Rasmussen arrived in Kabul on Wednesday to meet with Afghan officials.

The NATO secretary general also expressed the alliance support for the coming Aug. 20 Afghan presidential election by saying, "NATO-ISAF would do their best possible to ensure security for the election."

    He also categorically stated that NATO would neither support nor oppose any candidate on the presidential race.

    Expressing his regret over civilian fatalities in Afghanistan, he emphasized that the alliance would do its best to minimize civilian casualties.