Thursday, August 02, 2012 

Kabul (BNA) President Hamid Karzai held a meeting this noon with NATO commander Gen. John Allen, with whom he discussed a number of issues including NATO military facilities after withdrawal, recent Pakistan artillery shelling on Afghanistan, strengthening of Afghan air force and the renovation of Salang Tunnel.
Gen. Allen said NATO has already condemned and is examining the shelling fired from Pakistan into Afghanistan and would raise the issue with Pakistani officials and particularly with Gen. Kayani in his visit soon to Pakistan.
NATO commander also said that the military facilities Afghanistan need would be handed over to Afghan government for use when the international troops withdraw. Describing as important the need for the strengthening of Afghan air force, he said they would do every effort in training young Afghan pilots.
On the renovation of Salang Tunnel, Gen. Allen said that the work is currently underway in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Works with five million dollars spent so far and $ 19 million more to be spent in renovation efforts.