AFGHANISTAN - Jan. 10 - ISAF To Assist Interim Govt.

British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon says the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) is "not a peacekeeping operation", but its role will be to "assist the Afghan interim administration". He says 18 countries would send troops to form the UK-led force. He says the ISAF will take part in joint patrols with local police, help in reconstruction, and assist the government to build and train security forces. Officials say more than half the soldiers will be specialists such as engineers and others needed to provide infrastructure and logistics for the troops in a city lacking all essential services. Only about 2,000 will carry out patrols and protect the force. During its 3-month command, the UK will supply 1,800 troops, as well as 300 now working to re-open Kabul International airport so that the flow of troops and supplies can be accelerated. Germany is sending 800, France 550, Italy 300, Spain 300, Greece 100 and the Netherlands 100. Other contributors are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and Turkey, which is expected to take over the leadership by end-April.