KABUL, July 29 (Xinhua) -- The ongoing U.S.-led anti-Taliban Operation Mountain Thrust will be closed down by the end of July as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is going to take over the command in Afghan volatile southern region, said a NATO commander on Saturday.

    The huge military operation involved in some 11,000 Afghan and foreign troops and have claimed the lives of more than 600 Taliban-linked militants since its launching in mid-May.

    David Richard, the British commander of the western military alliance, told journalists at a press conference at his headquarters here that he will put more troops from other parts of Afghanistan to the south if the need arises.

    NATO will deploy some 9,000 troops in the southern restive provinces after taking over the command of the U.S-led Coalition forces in Afghan volatile southern region within days.

    Meanwhile, the commander also reassured repeated long-term support to the war-torn nation Saturday.

    "We would reaffirm that NATO is here for the long term, for as long as the government of Afghanistan requires our assistance," said Richard.

    He made these remarks just two days ahead of assuming command of the U.S.-led Coalition troops in Afghan southern region to fight against Taliban insurgents and associate groups in the post-Taliban country.

    Some 23,000-strong U.S.-led foreign forces have been hunting down Taliban militias to ensure durable security in the war-ravaged nation.

    The British commander also said that his forces will be robust against militants as the Coalition forces were.

    The number of Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan National Police (ANP) in the troubled region will also grow day by day, he added. Enditem