Australian troops ready to provide assistance during Afghanistan election: defence minister

Afghanistan will hold its parliamentary elections on Saturday which are anticipated to be disrupted by the Taliban, Australia's newly-appointed defence minister Stephen Smith said.

Smith said security during the election will be primarily handled by the Afghanistan national army however Australian defence personnel will provide support if required.

"We are proceeding on the basis that the Taliban will try to disrupt the elections and we are essentially in a support position to provide assistance," Smith said in Perth on Friday.

"For the security arrangements and for the conduct of elections if required."

But according to Australian Associated Press, Smith said ultimately Australia wanted to intervene as little as possible to ensure the elections are full, free and fair.

"But the circumstances in which they take place are very difficult," he said.

Besides Australian defence force personnel, there are also diplomats and civilians on the ground in Afghanistan.

Smith said due to the circumstances in Afghanistan, all Australians in that country will be at some risk during the elections.

"There's always a high risk in Afghanistan. It's essentially a theater of war," he said. Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.xinhuanet.com for full version.