RSS Feeds  German Parliament extends Afghan-mission  Thursday -
1/31/2013, 8:20am  ET  BERLIN (AP) -- Germany's Parliament has
voted to extend the country's military mission in Afghanistan by
13 months.  Parliament approved the extension on Thursday by a
vote of 435 to 111. The German contingent is being slowly
reduced as the country prepares to bring all combat troops home
by the end of 2014.  The new mandate foresees a drop from a
current maximum of 4,500 troops to 3,300 troops, which are
stationed primarily in northern Afghanistan.  Germany says even
after the combat troops are gone the country will continue to
provide Afghanistan with long-term non-military assistance.  The
mission is generally unpopular in Germany but is supported by
most political parties. Parliamentary approval is required
annually.