UN chief says he welcomes US plan for Afghanistan troop buildup

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UN welcomes US plan for Afghanistan buildup

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. chief has embraced the new U.S. plan for Afghanistan, calling it a balanced effort to achieve stability in the war-torn nation.

Ban Ki-moon said he appreciated President Barack Obama’s call to “balance military and civilian efforts” and the emphasis on strengthening Afghan institutions and security forces.

Obama said in a speech Tuesday night that he plans to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan, bringing the total to 100,000, and begin to withdraw troops as early as July 2011. He says Afghan forces would be rapidly trained to take over the fight.

Ban says the U.N. remains committed to helping Afghanistan achieve peace, stability and development through a transition to “increased Afghan ownership, responsibility and leadership.”