Australia names ambassador for Kabul

Brent Hackett, who has spent three years as Dy High Commissioner in Islamabad, will take up the appointment next month.

Australia will send career diplomat Brent Hackett as its first resident ambassador to Afghanistan next month.

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While Australia has had on-and-off diplomatic relations with Afghanistan, it is the first time its ambassador will live in the country.

Hackett, who has spent three years as deputy high commissioner in Islamabad, will take up the appointment next month.

He will arrive in Kabul as Australia sends the bulk of a 400-member reconstruction task force to help rebuild Afghanistan.

Prime Minister John Howard formally announced an increase in Australia's newest deployment to Afghanistan, sending in extra reconstruction personnel, as well as an infantry company to deal with the increased security threat.