German Cabinet Could Approve Afghanistan Military Mission Extension

The German cabinet could today vote in favour of extending the country's military mission in Afghanistan by a year.

According to the new extension plan, the Bundeswehr troops withdrawal will begin at the end of 2011 with no change in the current number of 5,350 troops and €1.5bn operational a year.

The plan also includes the handover dividends in Afghanistan being reinvested, which implies troops that leave certain areas under Afghan control will be relocated to other areas still in need.

The last troops would be scheduled to leave the country completely by 2014 and a parliamentary vote on the extension is set for late January 2011, according to the Local.