De Crem said the pullout would be in
line with U.S. President Barack Obama's announcement of
the start of the U.S. withdrawal next month. Washington
intends to cut a third of its 100,000 troops by next summer.
Out of a total strength of 585 currently in the country,
325-strong contingent of Belgians provide security for
Kabul airport. The rest are based mainly in Kandahar in
the south, where six Belgian F-16 fighters are deployed.