NATO to expand Afghan force
28/06/2004 - 13:11:08NATO leaders agreed today to expand the alliance’s peacekeeping force in Afghanistan, raising the level of troops to 10,000 during the September elections from the current 6,500.
Germany and the Netherlands will take a lead role in two of the four new city forces, with British troops running the other two.
“Contributing to peace and stability in Afghanistan is NATO’s key priority,” the leaders said on the opening day of their summit.
Officials said the expansion would include four more permanent peacekeeping teams deployed in northern cities, as well as a temporary increase in troops levels to provide security during the elections.
The alliance peacekeeping mission is currently limited to the Afghan capital, Kabul, and the northern city of Kunduz.
