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On 9 February, Ambassador Mark Sedwill, NATO’s Senior Civilian Representative (SCR) in Afghanistan, met with the Governor of Afghanistan’s Helmand Province, Mohammad Gulab Mangal, and members of the media today to show NATO’s support for the Afghan-led civil assistance effort in the Marjah region of Central Helmand, where joint military operations are planned.

Approximately 80,000 people live in Marjah, an area where insurgents and opium dealers have established a network of intimidation and violence to protect a lucrative drug trade that fuels their insurgency and denies basic government services to residents.

The Afghan Government intends to regain control of the region and establish civil authority and government support, beginning with a joint military operation led by the Afghan National Security Forces, partnered with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

"The success of the operation will not be in the military phase," Ambassador Sedwill told reporters in a joint briefing with Governor Mangal at ISAF headquarters in Kabul.

"It will be over the next weeks and months as the people feel the benefits of better governance, of economic opportunities and of operating under the legitimate authorities of Afghanistan – it’s about the Afghan Government exercising it’s sovereignty," he said.

Governor Mangal explained how civil assistance plans under an Afghan-led commission have already started to help those families who have decided to leave the area. "The commission is fully prepared. We have got tents. We've got food. We've got everything in place," he said.

Asked by reporters why the military operation has been so publicized, the Ambassador and the Governor explained that the ultimate focus is on the people of Marjah, not the insurgents who must first be removed in order for governance and development to be established.  “The purpose of this is to work for the people, not just to conduct a military operation," said Governor Mangal.

Both officials added that the pre-announcement of the military phase is also designed to persuade the militants to join a government-promoted peace process.

Following his brief visit to ISAF headquarters, Governor Mangal returned to Helmand to oversee the civil assistance effort.