U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has welcomed the formal transfer of security lead throughout Afghanistan to Afghan national security forces for the first time since the Taliban were ousted in 2001, noting that the milestone was achieved due to determination and sacrifices of the Afghan people.
"This critical milestone is a tribute to the determination of the people of Afghanistan to take responsibility for their country's future, and it was made possible by heavy sacrifices on the part of the United States, coalition partners, and the Afghan forces," Hagel said in a statement on Tuesday.
He also hailed the leadership of Afghan President Hamid Karzai in helping to oversee the transition, and commended NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, for their "tireless efforts."
"Today is a day for all Americans to take pride in the hard work our service-members and their civilian counterparts are performing every day in Afghanistan," Hagel said.
"This achievement keeps us and our coalition partners on track to bring our combat mission to a close next year and transition to a noncombat train, advise and assist mission that will help ensure Afghans can sustain security into the future," he added.
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