KABUL, June 20 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Britain handed control of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for Afghanistan to Turkey Thursday, June 20.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai told Major General John McColl, the outgoing British commander of the 5,000-strong force, that Kabul was a safer place six months after ISAF troops from 19 nations began patrolling the Afghan capital, Agence France-Presse (AFP) said.

“The people, the common man, feels secure when he goes about his work in the city or for a picnic and I thank you for that,” he told McColl at a colorful handover ceremony.

“The successful conclusion of the Loya Jirga (grand assembly which finished on Wednesday night) would not have been possible without the very determined, very dedicated and very careful work ISAF did with the Afghan security forces.”

Political bickering, power grabbing attempts and outside interference held the elected president of Afghanistan from nominating his cabinet as the Loya Jirga of Afghan elders was forced to drag to the third day beyond the original schedule before finally coming to a decision on Wednesday, June 19, 2002.

The size of the British force will be reduced from 1,500 to around 400 troops over the next two weeks, with only engineers and logistical staff remaining, AFP said.

McColl said it had been a “privilege to serve the Afghan people” as he expressed his pride in his troops.

“The progress we have made together (with the Afghan authorities) has exceeded our expectations, climaxing in the highly successful Loya Jirga which ended last night.”

The new Turkish commander, Major General Akin Zorlu, said that he would work to “enhance the peace and welfare of the people of Kabul.”

“Turkish units have considerable experience in multinational peace support operations and are looking forward to cooperating with all parties, which support the mission of the ISAF.”

ISAF’s remit has been limited to Kabul despite demands by Karzai for troops to be deployed beyond the capital where the central government's authority is limited.

Karzai later told a press conference he may again ask for an expansion of the remit but said it was not necessary at the moment.

“If there is a need I will definitely ask the international community for ISAF to be extended but the need is not there now.”

Bands from both Turkey and Britain entertained a selected audience which included defense minister Mohammad Qasim Fahim and the United Nations special envoy to Afghanistan Lakhdar Brahimi.

The Union Jack was lowered before the Turkish flag was hoisted on a football pitch at ISAF headquarters in central Kabul.

The European Union’s envoy to Afghanistan indicated last week that some European countries, who made up around 90 percent of ISAF before Turkey took control, were having a rethink over their opposition to the deployment of troops beyond the capital.

Meanwhile, Turkish commando Akin, 21, said he was “proud” to serve in Afghanistan.

“I’m proud to be here to serve my country as well as I can for Afghanistan,” he told AFP.

“I would never have thought that I would be doing my military service more than 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles) from my country,” he added.

The young soldier said the Turks had had a warm reception from the “friendly” Afghans, probably because both are Muslim nations.

“We represent Turkey here and we haven’t seen any negative reactions from the locals yet, who are very friendly mainly because we are Muslims like them,” he said.

A local interpreter working with ISAF said Afghans preferred the Turks to the British.

“Afghan people have faith in the Turkish soldiers,” he said.