Czech soldiers leave for Afghanistan

Czech soldiers, the main part of the 6th Rapid Deployment Brigade, have departed for Afghanistan to replace colleagues on a reconstruction team in the north-east of the country. The main part of the 91-member contingent left early Friday morning from Prague's Ruzyne airport. The soldiers, including two women, will serve for four months in the Afghan province of Fayzabad within NATO's ISAF mission. Reconstruction teams there have helped renew schools, establish health facilities, and repair damaged bridges. Czechs operating on the ground have also helped increase security in the area by cooperating with local military officials and police.