Canadian General Rick Hillier has handed over the command of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF) to Eurocorps, Canadian media reported Tuesday.

Hiller officially transferred the command to French Lt.-Gen. Jean-Louis Py, reports said.

NATO, an alliance of 26 countries, agreed in June at its summitin Istanbul to increase the number of peacekeepers in Afghanistan for the election period to 8,500 troops from 6,500, but the reinforcements have still to be deployed.

While Canada ended its command of ISAF Five, some 700 Canadian troops will serve under Eurocorps command in ISAF Six. Canada had been the largest contributor to ISAF with 2,000 troops.

In addition to the enlarged NATO force, there are 20,000 US-ledtroops in Afghanistan.

Source: Xinhua