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In his first visit to the province of Ghor, the head of Nato forces and top US general in Afghanistan greeted Lithuanian soldiers starting a tour of duty in central Afghanistan on Monday.

At their base in Chagcharan, Gen Stanley McChrystal addressed soldiers and staff of the tenth Lithuanian-led provincial reconstruction team (PRT) to be sent to the province.

He said the team would play a key role in helping locals secure a "better future" for themselves in a country ravaged by three decades of war.

The aim of the PRT – headed by Lithuanians since 2005 but made up of soldiers from various countries – is to bring stability and security to Ghor and help local government get on its feet.

Lithuania's 120 soldiers will be stationed in Ghor for six months. According to Lithuania's defence ministry, many of the soldiers have overseas experience, having served in Iraq and in the Balkans, and some are back in Afghanistan for a second tour.

There are 26 PRTs operating in Afghanistan and about 71,000 military personnel from 43 countries serve in Nato's International Security Assistance Force.