The Spanish government confirmed Monday it had ordered the withdrawal of 500 troops from its contingent collaborating with the International Security Forces (ISAF) in Afghanistan.  

Joint Chief of Staff, General Felix Sanz Roldan, informed that the return of the paratroopers that since early-September are stationed in Mazar, north Afghanistan, will be completed within 20 days.

The troops were in charge of the security of the electoral process in the Central Asia country.

Sanz Roldan highlighted that during the stay of the Spanish military personnel no problems occurred in the vigilance zone.

He noted, however, that there is a possibility of increasing the number of troops in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, where Spain is in charge of a hospital and the international air bases of the airport.

(Xinhua News Agency October 26, 2004)