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Dutch cabinet 'falls' in Nato row Dutch cabinet falls in Afghan row
(20 minutes later)
The Dutch government has collapsed over disagreements within the governing coalition on extending troop deployments in Afghanistan, media say. The Dutch government has collapsed over disagreements within the governing coalition on extending troop deployments in Afghanistan.
The reports came following extensive talks between the coalition partners. After marathon talks, Christian Democratic Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende announced that the Labour Party was quitting the government.
Christian Democratic Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende is considering a Nato request to extend the Dutch mission in Afghanistan beyond 2010. Mr Balkenende has been considering a Nato request for Dutch forces to stay in Afghanistan beyond 2010.
However, the Labour party, a member of the centre-left coalition, has opposed the extension. But Labour, the second-largest coalition party, has opposed the move.
The collapse was reported overnight after a 16-hour cabinet meeting. The collapse of the government was announced after a 16-hour cabinet meeting.
Just under 2,000 Dutch service personnel have been serving in Afghanistan's Uruzgan province since 2006, with 21 killed.Just under 2,000 Dutch service personnel have been serving in Afghanistan's Uruzgan province since 2006, with 21 killed.
Their deployment has already been extended once. The troops should have returned home in 2008, but they stayed on because no other Nato nation offered replacements.Their deployment has already been extended once. The troops should have returned home in 2008, but they stayed on because no other Nato nation offered replacements.
Nato priorityNato priority
The commitment is now due to end later in 2010.The commitment is now due to end later in 2010.
The Dutch parliament voted in October 2009 that it must definitely stop by then, although the government has yet to endorse that vote.The Dutch parliament voted in October 2009 that it must definitely stop by then, although the government has yet to endorse that vote.
The finance minister and leader of the Labour Party, Wouter Bos, demanded an immediate ruling from the prime minister. Mr Balkenende had been considering the Nato request
The finance minister and leader of the Labour Party, Wouter Bos, demanded an immediate ruling from Mr Balkenende.
The launch in 2001 of Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) for Afghanistan was the organisation's first and largest operation outside Europe.The launch in 2001 of Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) for Afghanistan was the organisation's first and largest operation outside Europe.
Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said six months ago when he began his job that his priority was the war in Afghanistan.Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said six months ago when he began his job that his priority was the war in Afghanistan.
As of June 2009, Isaf had more than 61,000 personnel from 42 different countries including the US, Canada, European countries, Australia, Jordan and New Zealand.As of June 2009, Isaf had more than 61,000 personnel from 42 different countries including the US, Canada, European countries, Australia, Jordan and New Zealand.
But Afghanistan remains a deadly place for foreign forces.
Suicide attacks on Afghan civilians and roadside bomb strikes on international troops are common, with the Taliban strongly resurgent in many areas of the country.