The Afghanistan government seems to be thinking hard whether to hand over the responsibility of running the  Kabul airport to Turkish forces, media reports said.

“Including Hamid Karzai (International Airport), all airports will be active and we select the choice that has tangible benefit,” Rahmatullah Andar, a spokesman for the National Security Council, told Afghanistan Times.

The President Palace, however, said Afghanistan forces were capable enough to take care of the airport, IBNS said quoting local media. 

“The Afghan security forces under a particular scheme provide security to all airports,” a spokesman for President Ashraf Ghani, Mohammad Amir, was quoted as saying by Afghanistan Times.

Turkey is planning to take control of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan if the NATO allies provide support, the Turkish Defense Minister had said.

Hulusi Akar, the Turkish Defense Minister in a meeting with its NATO allies has said that the 500 Turkish forces in Afghanistan will take the control and responsibility of the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, if financial, logistic and political support is provided by the ally, Khaama Press earlier reported.

Turkey made the remark at a time when foreign forces are slowly withdrawing from Afghanistan while reports said with the onset of  NATO's official troop withdrawal from May 1, Taliban militants are capturing district after district from Afghan forces.

The withdrawal process is believed to end by Sept 11. (SAM)