British troops have formally handed the lead responsibility for security to Afghan Forces in the capital of Helmand Province today - a significant milestone in a process of transition that will continue to 2014 and beyond.
Lashkar Gah, where British troops have operated since 2006, is the fourth of seven districts across Afghanistan where responsibility for security is gradually shifting from ISAF forces to their Afghan counterparts.
Afghan Army and Police units have been assuming responsibility for security in the town over recent months. Today, no coalition troops are involved in the day-to-day security of the bustling town.
British forces will stay in the remainder of Central Helmand province where they will continue to develop the capability and capacity of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). Although security in Lashkar Gah is good, work in other areas will continue to ensure UK forces remain on track to withdraw combat forces by the end of 2014.
Foreign Secretary William Hague said:
The UK and our ISAF partners remain committed to helping the Afghan Government ensure that Afghanistan never again becomes an operating base for international terrorism.
Although UK forces will no longer be in a combat role in Afghanistan by 2015, we will continue to provide military and development assistance. We are preparing a strong, long term partnership with Afghanistan based on diplomacy, trade and development that will continue beyond the end of transition.
For more please see here.
Also, in his latest blog, Head of the Provincial Reconstruction Team Michael O'Neill said the principal criterion to assess progress is not what we have done ourselves, but what Afghan authorities can do in future.
For more on supporting Afghan leadership visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Global Conversations Blog.