Europe takes on Afghan security

It is not clear where the troops will be deployed

A French and German-led military unit has taken over command of international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan.

Troops from Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and Spain will lead the force for the next six months.

But the changeover comes amid growing criticism of Nato's support for the International Security Assistance Force.

There are concerns it has been too slow in meeting promises for extra troops before October's presidential election.

The unit, called Eurocorps, replaces Canadian officers who have been leading Isaf.

This is Eurocorp's first operation outside Europe since its formation in 1992.

The French general in charge, Jean-Louis Py, and 180 personnel are already in Afghanistan but the BBC's Andrew North in Kabul says he has arrived into a situation of declining security and mounting criticism that his Nato-led force is failing to deliver on promises.

In June, Nato member states committed to boosting the size of the force to around 10,000 for the elections.

But with just two months to go it is still not clear when the extra troops will be deployed.

Concern

Nato officials now also say that around 40% of the force will be so-called over-the-horizon troops, in other words, based outside Afghanistan.

And most of those in the country will be in barracks in Kabul, rather than being spread around the provinces where security is a greater challenge.

But peacekeeping spokesmen here insist Nato is living up to its commitments.

Our correspondent says Eurocorps itself is hardly being welcomed in, with some security analysts suggesting the five-nation organisation is far too unwieldy, compared to the Canadian military force.