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Friday, February 22, 2013

Germany: U.S. to keep 8,000-12,000 troops in Afghanistan post-2014

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Germany's Defence Minister Thomas de Maiziere said on Friday that U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told NATO allies gathered in Brussels that the United States would keep between 8,000 and 12,000 troops in Afghanistan after 2014, when the NATO combat mission is due to end.

"The American defence secretary announced that the United States will be in a magnitude of 8,000 to 12,000 troops involved in Afghanistan" post-2014, the German minister said.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta (R) and Germany's Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere greet one another before a meeting at the NATO headquarters in Brussels February 21, 2013. Panetta is attending meetings with NATO Defense Ministers and bilateral meetings with other international officials. REUTERS/ Chip Somodevilla/Pool
U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta (R) and Germany's Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere greet one another before a meeting at the NATO headquarters in Brussels February 21, 2013. Panetta is attending meetings with NATO Defense Ministers and bilateral meetings with other international officials. REUTERS/ Chip Somodevilla/Pool

Panetta or his aides were not immediately available to comment. He was due to address a news conference shortly.

(Reporting by Ilona Wissenbach)


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