The Netherlands on Sunday handed over its command of Nato forces in southern Afghanistan to Britain after one year in charge of the rebuilding project.

In a short speech at the handover ceremony in Kandahar, major general Mart de Kruif praised the work of the 40,000 foreign soldiers in the region and the resilience of the local Afghan population.
Opening his speech in Afghan, De Kruif thanked his local ‘brothers in arms’ and went on to say to everyone involved in the rebuilding project: ‘I cannot tell you how proud I am to have served with you.’
The ceremony ended with a minute’s silence for the 3,000 Afghan and 284 coalition soldiers who have died in the region over the past year.
For the full speech (in English), click here