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Nato debates Afghanistan strategy Nato debates Afghanistan strategy
(about 2 hours later)
Nato leaders are discussing the conflict in Afghanistan, on the second day of a summit in Romania.Nato leaders are discussing the conflict in Afghanistan, on the second day of a summit in Romania.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will join talks aimed at devising a strategy to stabilise the country.Afghan President Hamid Karzai and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will join talks aimed at devising a strategy to stabilise the country.
Earlier, France confirmed it would send a battalion of troops to the east of the country.Earlier, France confirmed it would send a battalion of troops to the east of the country.
The US said the pledge would free up some of its troops to bolster Canadian forces in the south.The US said the pledge would free up some of its troops to bolster Canadian forces in the south.
Canada had threatened to withdraw its contingent in Kandahar province unless other Nato countries sent reinforcements.Canada had threatened to withdraw its contingent in Kandahar province unless other Nato countries sent reinforcements.
Having suffered rising casualties in the south, it wants its forces to be reinforced with a 1,000-strong battle group, along with helicopters and unmanned aircraft.Having suffered rising casualties in the south, it wants its forces to be reinforced with a 1,000-strong battle group, along with helicopters and unmanned aircraft.
France's contributionFrance's contribution
On Thursday, President Bush and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown are expected to urge more members of the military alliance to commit troops or extra resources to the battle against the Taleban.On Thursday, President Bush and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown are expected to urge more members of the military alliance to commit troops or extra resources to the battle against the Taleban.
France's contribution of around 800 troops was confirmed in a speech to a session of allied leaders by President Nicolas Sarkozy.France's contribution of around 800 troops was confirmed in a speech to a session of allied leaders by President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Will the summit bring peace?Will the summit bring peace?
"I have decided to reinforce the French military presence with a battalion deployed in the eastern region," he said."I have decided to reinforce the French military presence with a battalion deployed in the eastern region," he said.
But Gen Daniel McNeill, commander of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force, (Isaf) has asked for as many as 10,000 more troops, in the form of two combat brigades and a brigade of trainers.But Gen Daniel McNeill, commander of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force, (Isaf) has asked for as many as 10,000 more troops, in the form of two combat brigades and a brigade of trainers.
Isaf's numbers have risen from 33,000 troops to 47,000 in the past 15 months, in response to a resurgence from the Taleban and other militants.Isaf's numbers have risen from 33,000 troops to 47,000 in the past 15 months, in response to a resurgence from the Taleban and other militants.
In other developments at the summit in Romania, Nato is discussing how to maintain links with Georgia and Ukraine after indicating that it would not be offering them membership.In other developments at the summit in Romania, Nato is discussing how to maintain links with Georgia and Ukraine after indicating that it would not be offering them membership.
Delegates have only agreed on a closer relationship with the two states in the future.Delegates have only agreed on a closer relationship with the two states in the future.
President Bush had called for the two former Soviet republics to be allowed to join the alliance, but the move is opposed by Germany and France.President Bush had called for the two former Soviet republics to be allowed to join the alliance, but the move is opposed by Germany and France.
Map of main troop deployments