King Juan Carlos visits Spanish troops in Afghanistan

Madrid/Herat - King Juan Carlos on Monday paid a previously- unannounced visit to Spanish troops stationed in Afghanistan, officials in Madrid said. The 69-year-old monarch along with Defence Minister Jose Antonio Alonso met troops stationed in the Spanish base in Herat, western Afghanistan. The king, who as head of state is also commander-in-chief of the Spanish armed forces, wished a happy New Year to the around 700 Spanish soldiers serving with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Juan Carlos meanwhile received best wishes for his 70th birthday, which falls on Saturday. A total of 74 Spanish soldiers have been killed in attacks and accidents since deployment with the ISAF. An additional 62 troops died four years ago after their military aircraft crashed in Turkey as it was returning from the Afghan theatre. King Juan Carlos had five years ago also visited Spanish troops stationed in Kosovo. © 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur

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