The Afghan government says the next phase of transferring security from NATO to Afghan control will begin in two months.
The latest transition will see Afghan forces assuming control of 87 percent of the country.
With most NATO-led troops set to leave by 2014, the 330,000-strong Afghan National Army is assuming more responsibility, including leading combat operations.
The upcoming transition will see Afghan forces take over control of 12 provinces, mostly in central and northern Afghanistan, as well as a district in Helmand Province, in the country's restive south.
NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in a statement that the impending transition was a "significant step toward our shared goal of seeing Afghans fully in charge of their own security by the end of 2014."
The latest transition will see Afghan forces assuming control of 87 percent of the country.
With most NATO-led troops set to leave by 2014, the 330,000-strong Afghan National Army is assuming more responsibility, including leading combat operations.
The upcoming transition will see Afghan forces take over control of 12 provinces, mostly in central and northern Afghanistan, as well as a district in Helmand Province, in the country's restive south.
NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in a statement that the impending transition was a "significant step toward our shared goal of seeing Afghans fully in charge of their own security by the end of 2014."