Afghanistan ceremony marking the end of the combat mission

This is the first of two ceremonies officially marking the end of the combat mission of NATO in Afghanistan by December 31.

It took place in Kabul on Monday, 13 years after the start of the offensive against the Taliban. A war caused by the attacks of 11 September 2001.

The British and the Americans were the first to respond.

Afghanistan has counted up to 130,000 soldiers of NATO in 2010 at the height of the commitment of the international coalition.

In January, 12,500 troops, including 9,800 Americans will remain in place with the objective to assist and train the Afghan army.

While the forces of Afghan law have experienced significant losses this year because of the waves of Taliban attacks, the withdrawal of NATO troops was deemed "too steep" by the head of the Executive Abdullah Abdullah.