A suicide attack on a luxury hotel in the Afghan capital was a "tragic reminder" that Afghanistan remains a dangerous area, Norway's Chief of Defence said Tuesday, DPA reported. The attack Monday claimed at least six lives, and contributed to a decision by Oslo to cut shut short Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store's visit to Afghanistan. Norway would remain in Afghanistan, Defence Chief Sverre Diesen said in connection with a visit to neighbouring Sweden. Diesen cited "clear statements from the prime minister and other politicians," in an interview with Swedish radio news conducted on the sidelines of the annual conference of the Swedish association, Society and Defence. Norway has around 500 troops in Afghanistan and is part of NATO operations in the country. Store had planned to announce that Oslo aimed to raise its aid to Afghanistan by 50 per cent to 142 million dollars this year. Store and his delegation were Tuesday afternoon reported to be en route to Oslo.
