Afghanistan no longer a source of terrorism: Canadian PM

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper made a surprise visit to Afghanistan on Monday as Canadian troops prepared for the end of a nine-year combat mission in the war-torn country, his office said.This country does not represent a geostrategic risk to the world, Canadas public broadcaster CBC quoted Harper as saying in a speech. It is no longer a source of global terrorism.However, he added, nations such as Canada must remain vigilant.Some might think that given all our sacrifices and with news of Osama bin Ladens death, the threat of terrorism has vanished, he said. Unfortunately, its an illusion.We cannot pretend that terrorism (from elsewhere) does not threaten our world or our nation.A skokseperson said, He went to thank the troops for their work and to get a briefing on the transition.During the one-day visit, Harper met with Canadian troops at their base at Kandahar Airfield and toured western parts of the country by helicopter, including a stop at a remote outpost or forward operating base.Canadian combat troops are due to return home in July, but Ottawa plans to send up to 950 military trainers to coach Afghan soldiers.A soldier who died of non combat-related wounds on Saturday was the 156th Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan since 2002.