The Dutch mission in northern Afghanistan to help train local police officers will end on July 1, the cabinet agreed on Friday.

However, the four Dutch F-16 fighter jets currently based in Afghanistan will remain there for a further period, ministers agreed.

As well as protecting Dutch forces, the jets are also used to protect the Netherlands’ Nato partners and are fitted with special equipment to trace roadside bombs.

The decision to stop the police training mission means some 200 Dutch military officials out of 500 will remain in Afghanistan.

The training mission had been due to continue until 2014 but Germany’s decision to withdraw means the Dutch have to leave as well. Germany was in charge of protecting the Dutch team.