Occupying power NATO says does not need UN permit on post-2012 Afghan stay

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says the military alliance does not need an authorization from the United Nations to stay in Afghanistan beyond its pullout date.

“We would be able to operate in Afghanistan after 2014 on the basis of the invitation from the Afghan government. That will be fully in accordance with intentional law,” Rasmussen told reporters at his monthly press conference.

The NATO chief announced in October that the Western military bloc intends to remain in Afghanistan for a “non-combat” mission after the US-led troops leave Afghanistan in 2014.

Rasmussen’s remarks came in response to Russia’s acting ambassador to NATO, who said on October 10 that Russia would stop cooperating with NATO over Afghanistan after 2014 unless the alliance gets UN Security Council authorization for its new training mission.

“The absence of a UN mandate may weaken regional stability and provoke neighboring countries,” Nikolay Korchunov said.

The UN Security Council has authorized the current combat mission of NATO in the country.

The US and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of the so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but insecurity remains across the country.