Panetta: US surge troops out of Afghanistan

AUCKLAND (AP) - The 33,000 additional United States (US) troops that President Barack Obama ordered to Afghanistan to tamp down the Taleban attacks nearly two years ago have now left the country.

However, a new wave of deadly insider attacks and a reassessment of how North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) troops partner with Afghans have raised questions about how well the military strategy is working.

US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta announced on Friday the troops had come out, declaring the surge had accomplished its mission.

But after a tumultuous week in Afghanistan that saw commanders put limits on when Nato and Afghan troops can patrol together, Mr Panetta also acknowledged there will still be difficult days ahead.