OTTAWA, March 25 (Xinhua) -- The Canadian government announced on Wednesday a number of new Internet applications for the public to better understand the country's mission in Afghanistan.

    The applications, available on the website -- www.afghanistan.gc.ca -- include downloadable videos, photos and an interactive map to provide more timely and sufficient information about the military's mission in Afghanistan, Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said in a news release.

    The move is intended to provide the public with "franker and more frequent reporting on events in Afghanistan and Canadian efforts there," Cannon said.

    The goal of the website is to keep Canadians informed, not just on military progress in Afghanistan, but also on diplomatic and development work funded by Ottawa, he said.

    Canada has 2,830 soldiers deployed in southern Afghanistan, most of whom are fighting Taliban militants. An increase in fatalities amongst Canadian troops has sparked increasing public unease about the mission.