The second mechanised battalion of the 3rd brigade of the army, which is being trained by US, French and British soldiers, completed their 10-week basic training at Kabul military training centre.

"It is a great honour and with pride that once again our army has become national and got a national character," said battalion commander Colonel Abdul Qadir.

The battalion has 41 BMP and BMP1 Russian-made armoured vehicles and "the Ministry of Defence has promised us more if needed," he said.

With 464 soldiers and 36 officers, it was the 10th battalion to complete training.

"The training is difficult and we have to struggle a lot under the sunshine in the hot deserts but it is source of pride for us because we are serving our nation and our war-shattered country," said soldier Jawaid Ahmed.

"After two decades of war and conflicts the wounds of this land need to be healed. I am happy that I am serving in the army fighting for the betterment, independence, and national integrity of our beloved country," he said.

The United Nations has called for urgent implementation of reforms to make the army and defence ministry more representative of the country's ethnic and regional mix.

Ethnic Tajik Defence Minister Marshal Mohammad Qasim Fahim has been accused of trying to pack the army with Tajik recruits.

Afghanistan aims by next summer to have a "central corps" of 9,000 to 12,000 soldiers, a fraction of the goal of a 70,000-strong army to replace the current armies of militiamen in the provinces.

The process of disarming, demobilising and reintegrating some 100,000 militiamen is due to start in coming weeks.

WAR.WIRE