Afghan officer goes missing in Sydney

An Afghan army officer in Australia for training has gone missing.

The unnamed soldier was to attend a Defence-sponsored training course at the Asia Pacific Centre for Military Law under the defence co-operation program.

He was last seen in the foyer of his Sydney hotel on the afternoon of August 9, indicating he was waiting for relatives.

A defence spokeswoman said he hadn't been found.

NSW Police, the Afghan embassy in Canberra and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection had been notified.

Defence wouldn't comment on whether the man might be seeking Australian protection.

"Our primary concern is for the welfare of the individual," the spokeswoman said.