Canadian opposition leader looks for non-combat roles for his country in Afghanistan

The leader of Canada's largest opposition party, visiting Afghanistan Saturday, said his country should look for non-combat roles that Canadians can take on to help Afghanistan's development.

Liberal party leader Stephane Dion said he met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who thanked Canada for its contributions.

Canada has about 2,500 troops stationed in the southern province of Kandahar, one of Afghanistan's most violent areas. The troops are slated to leave Afghanistan in February 2009, a move which could force NATO's International Security Assistance Force to rotate troops from other nations into the province.

Seventy-six Canadian military members and one diplomat have died in Afghanistan, with about 30 of the deaths in 2007.

Canadian lawmakers will vote later this year to determine whether the combat mission will be extended after it expires in 2009. Canada's ruling Conservative party wants the troops to stay, but the majority opposition parties _ reflecting public opinion in Canada _ want them to end the combat mission in southern Afghanistan.

Dion said there are many aid projects in which Canada can take part, outside of a military role.

"We are convinced after the day we've had that we will have plenty of things to do that will involve, yes, to take risks, but anywhere we will go, whether Darfur or Haiti, there are always risks," he said. "We are not afraid of the risks. But we want to sure that we have a balanced mission after 2009 that will be optimally helpful for the people of Afghanistan."

Dion arrived Saturday in Afghanistan. The duration of his visit was not disclosed.