Ottawa – Ambassador Omar Samad expressed his deep sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Private Robert Costall, who died in combat in Southern Afghanistan on March 29. Sending a message of condolences to Pri. Costall’s family, he said:

“We share in your sorrow, as we stand together to defend freedom and dignity. While defending those values against our common enemies, Private Costall gave his life, and the people of Afghanistan will not forget his ultimate sacrifice.”

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OTTAWA -- International troops -- including the Canadian Forces -- could finish their security-and-reconstruction work in Afghanistan in another three to four years, says the country's ambassador to Canada.

That is far less than the 10 years Gen. Rick Hillier, the chief of the defence staff, and other generals have recently speculated might be the length of Canada's military commitment to the war-torn country.

Four years after the U.S.-led coalition and Afghan resistance overthrew the Taliban, Afghanistan is still stumbling on the path to peace and stability. But glimmers of hope do exist. The brightest developments include the inauguration of the new Afghan parliament in December, and the political involvement of Afghan women in rebuilding their country.

Ottawa – the Afghan Ambassador to Canada conveyed his condolences to Mrs. Melanie Davis, wife of Corporal Paul J. Davis of Bridgewater, N.S., who died in a vehicle accident near Kandahar city on Thursday.

In a phone conversation, Amb. Omar samad said, “Afghans are saddened that a young and good-hearted Canadian who believed in this mission lost his life as a result of this accident.” He added, “during this difficult period, our thoughts are with his family, colleagues and friends.”

The Ambassador also expressed his wish for a speedy recovery for the other six occupants of the armoured vehicle, who were injured during the accident.

OTTAWA (Reuters) - A majority of Canadians support the country's expanded military mission to Afghanistan, even though they realize there is a risk of casualties, according to a poll released on Wednesday.

The Ekos poll, provided to Reuters, showed that 70 percent of those surveyed said they backed the mission while 28 percent were against it.