Italy to back Afghanistan even after 2014

Kabul: Visiting Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti has said his government will continue to support Afghanistan after 2014 when the foreign troops leave. Addressing a joint press conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai here Sunday, Monti said 2014 will be a year of change. The international community will continue to support Afghanistan for peace in the region, Xinhua quoted the Italian prime minister as saying. [caption id=“attachment_514354” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti. Reuters.[/caption] Some 3,500 Italian troops are serving in Afghanistan under the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). They are based in militancy-plagued western region. Monti’s visit coincided with the Italian armed forces day 4 November. Earlier, he met with President Karzai and exchanged views on bilateral relations. President Karzai described Italy as an old friend of Afghanistan and said it contributed $500 million to the Afghan rebuilding process. IANS