GHAZNI CITY - Minister of Defense Gen. Bismillah Mohammadi on Wednesday said security would improve after the 2014 pullout of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from the country.

Speaking to journalists during his visit to southern Ghazni province, Mohammadi said: "Don’t heed propaganda by government’s opponents. I assure Afghans the security situation will not deteriorate."

He claimed that security has been improved and the insurgents defeated. As a result, they were trying in vain to disrupt the situation in northern and eastern provinces.

The fourth phase of the security switch, covering some districts of Ghazni and other provinces, would be launched soon, the minister announced.

Mohammadi said: "Afghan security forces are currently providing security for 70 percent of the country’s population and they will be better equipped before 2014." He saw no need for the continued presence of foreign troops in the country.

About the worsening security conditions along the Kabul-Kandahar highway, he said the issue had been taken up with Ministry of Interior and the National Directorate of Security. Security forces would be deployed soon along the busy route, he concluded. (Pajhwok)