KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct 1, SPA -- America's direct control of military operations in Afghanistan will dwindle to a single air base within days as the NATO alliance assumes anationwide command that places 12,000 more U.S. troopsunder its authority, a spokesman for the alliance saidSunday. The expansion will consolidate military command under top NATO leader British Lt. Gen. David Richards and phase out the role of U.S. Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry, whose troopswill be transferred to NATO, said Mark Laity, an alliancespokesman in Kabul. Of 40,000 foreign troops in Afghanistan, only 8,000 U.S. troops will function outside NATO control, Laitysaid. The overall level of American forces will remainaround 20,000, the Associated Press reported. «In a few days, on a date yet to be declared, you willsee the completion of the steady expansion of ISAF,» theNATO-led International Security Assistance Force, Laitysaid.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/393401