Jan 26, 2012, 17:36 GMT
Berlin - Germany has formally trimmed the size of its troop contingent in Afghanistan from 5,350 to 4,900 personnel.
Germany's parliament, or Bundestag, Thursday backed the decision with a large majority: 74.5 per cent of legislators approved it. Cross-party negotiations between the government and the bulk of the opposition led to a consensus ahead of debate.
The new authorization, which runs until January 31, 2013, had been cleared weeks ago by Chancellor Angela Merkel's government and is aligned with a troop withdrawal timetable adopted by the government.
If the security situation allows, Germany will pull out 500 personnel at the start of next year, then wind up the mission completely in 2014.
The Germans, who are attached to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), are based in Afghanistan's north.
Germany's constitution requires parliamentary clearance for all fighting deployments abroad.
Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle told dpa in an interview the German deployment had brought significant achievements, with Afghan security improved and gains in reconstruction after the damage of war.
'Afghanistan is not a safe haven for international terrorism any more,' he said.
'At the same time, it is clear that the job is not finished yet. The way to sustained peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan is still long.'
He called for a careful withdrawal, saying: 'We must not place at risk either what has been achieved so far or the safety of our troops.' He added that the international community would not abandon Afghanistan in 2014, but would continue sending aid and training to the Afghan army.
Asked if Germany would pull out in 2014 even in Afghanistan were sinking into civil war by then, he said: 'Obviously we will take precise account of the situation on the ground in everything we do.'
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