KABUL - The Italian troops will remain for a long term in Afghanistan beyond 2014, after majority of the NATO combat troops leave the country, the Italian Prime Minister said.

Enrico Letta, the Prime Minister of Italy met with Afghan president Hamid Karzai and appeared in a joint press conference in capital Kabul, and said that the Italian troops will remain in Afghanistan to train and advise Afghan security forces.

However, he did not provide further details regarding the exact number of Italian troops to stay in Afghanistan after 2014, however, Italy’s defense minister during his visit to Afghanistan earlier said that Italy could keep 500 to 700 troops in Afghanistan.

Italy has deployed around 2,825 troops under the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan, and they are mainly based in western Herat province of Afghanistan.

The Italian Prime Minister, Enrico Letta said, Italy remains committed to cooperate with the Aghan government in bilateral cooperation frame work, and vowed to continue support Afghanistan through multilateral mechanisms including NATO mission in Afghanistan, considering Italy’s membership.

He said Italy’s role will changed from combat role to training and advise role after 2014. He also said that Italy will continue to support Afghanistan in other sectors including education, rural development and economic development.

In the meantime, president Hamid Karzai welcomed the commitment by Italy for a long term presence in Afghanistan and said the government of Afghanistan remains thankful to Italy’s cooperation during the past 12 years. (KP)