Norway's Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre was aboard a plane forced to land in Kandahar in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday
Støre and bodyguards, co-workers and a group of Norwegian press were supposed to return to capital Kabul after a visit to Tirin Kot in the south of the country in an Australian transport plane. Only upon landing did the passengers learn that they were in Kandahar, reputed to be the most dangerous city in the country.
"I thought we had landed in Kabul," said a surprised Støre after emerging onto the landing strip in the darkness. From there he was taken to a provisional terminal building.
Problems with air pressure aboard the plane forced the landing, as the plane was unable to rise above the mountains surrounding the Afghan capital.
As night began to fall there was doubt that either the plane or a replacement would be ready in time to transport the group to Kabul on Wednesday. Støre, who is on a three-day visit to Afghanistan, was preparing for a night in Kandahar under uncertain conditions.
Kandahar has been the scene of recent fighting between NATO soldiers and Taliban insurgents.
"I thought we had landed in Kabul," said a surprised Støre after emerging onto the landing strip in the darkness. From there he was taken to a provisional terminal building.
Problems with air pressure aboard the plane forced the landing, as the plane was unable to rise above the mountains surrounding the Afghan capital.
As night began to fall there was doubt that either the plane or a replacement would be ready in time to transport the group to Kabul on Wednesday. Støre, who is on a three-day visit to Afghanistan, was preparing for a night in Kandahar under uncertain conditions.
Kandahar has been the scene of recent fighting between NATO soldiers and Taliban insurgents.
Posted by aftenposten
(Aftenposten English Web Desk/NTB)
(Aftenposten English Web Desk/NTB)
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