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Nato states 'offer extra troops' Nato states 'offer extra troops'
(10 minutes later)
Germany, Spain and Portugal are among countries to have offered an increase in troops for Afghanistan at the Nato summit in Strasbourg, sources say.Germany, Spain and Portugal are among countries to have offered an increase in troops for Afghanistan at the Nato summit in Strasbourg, sources say.
The troops would be deployed to cover the period of the Afghan presidential election in August. The troops will be deployed to cover the period of the Afghan presidential election in August.
The summit is also struggling to agree on a new secretary general to replace Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. Danish PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen has been chosen as new Nato secretary general after a troubled election.
Anti-Nato protesters on the streets outside fought riot police and set buildings alight. Meanwhile anti-Nato protesters on the streets outside fought riot police and set buildings alight.
On the French side of the River Rhine, they set alight a hotel and a customs house.On the French side of the River Rhine, they set alight a hotel and a customs house.
Three columns of smoke could be seen rising over the Europe Bridge area in Strasbourg, across from the small town of Kehl in Germany, where part of the summit was held.Three columns of smoke could be seen rising over the Europe Bridge area in Strasbourg, across from the small town of Kehl in Germany, where part of the summit was held.
French police again used tear gas against protesters and 25 people were arrested, adding to dozens detained in the run-up to the gathering.French police again used tear gas against protesters and 25 people were arrested, adding to dozens detained in the run-up to the gathering.
Sternest challengesSternest challenges
The day started with leaders arriving in Strasbourg by crossing a bridge across the Rhine - a symbol of the unity and peace in Europe that Nato has helped to defend.The day started with leaders arriving in Strasbourg by crossing a bridge across the Rhine - a symbol of the unity and peace in Europe that Nato has helped to defend.
OBAMA'S TRANSATLANTIC VISIT 3 April: Obama meets Sarkozy in France and Merkel in Germany4 April: Leaders walk across the Rhine and hold North Atlantic Council meeting in Strasbourg5 April: Obama in Prague for US-EU summit6-7 April: Obama visits Turkey Mardell: Siege of Strasbourg? OBAMA'S TRANSATLANTIC VISIT 3 April: Obama meets Sarkozy in France and Merkel in Germany4 April: Leaders walk across the Rhine and hold North Atlantic Council meeting in Strasbourg5 April: Obama in Prague for US-EU summit6-7 April: Obama visits Turkey Mardell: Siege of Strasbourg?
Opening the summit, current Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said Afghanistan - where alliance forces are battling a resurgent Taleban - was the most ambitious military operation Nato had ever undertaken.Opening the summit, current Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said Afghanistan - where alliance forces are battling a resurgent Taleban - was the most ambitious military operation Nato had ever undertaken.
President Nicolas Sarkozy of France said Nato could not afford to lose "because there [Afghanistan], some of the freedom of the world is at stake".President Nicolas Sarkozy of France said Nato could not afford to lose "because there [Afghanistan], some of the freedom of the world is at stake".
German Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged that her country would do its bit.German Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged that her country would do its bit.
"I'm very pleased that the new American strategy which President Obama set out fits very well with what we all think."I'm very pleased that the new American strategy which President Obama set out fits very well with what we all think.
"I think we should now specify the upper limits of what we need to take forward the process of Afghanisation. We want Afghanistan to be able to defend itself and ensure its own security and make sure that no more terrorist dangers emerge from it.""I think we should now specify the upper limits of what we need to take forward the process of Afghanisation. We want Afghanistan to be able to defend itself and ensure its own security and make sure that no more terrorist dangers emerge from it."
HAVE YOUR SAYNato came into existence in a period when Cold War hostilities had become quite strong. What's the meaning of its existence in today's world?Deboshree, Delhi Send us your comments HAVE YOUR SAYNato came into existence in a period when Cold War hostilities had become quite strong. What's the meaning of its existence in today's world?Deboshree, Delhi Send us your comments
The main business of Saturday's meeting in Strasbourg is to re-energise Nato to win a war that everyone accepts is not going very well, says BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus in Strasbourg.The main business of Saturday's meeting in Strasbourg is to re-energise Nato to win a war that everyone accepts is not going very well, says BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus in Strasbourg.
There are more than 70,000 foreign troops in Afghanistan, mostly under Nato command. Mr Obama is to send 21,000 additional US troops, while considering a further deployment of 10,000.There are more than 70,000 foreign troops in Afghanistan, mostly under Nato command. Mr Obama is to send 21,000 additional US troops, while considering a further deployment of 10,000.
He also wants European countries to contribute more.He also wants European countries to contribute more.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has offered a temporary increase in troops ahead of Afghanistan's presidential election in August.UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has offered a temporary increase in troops ahead of Afghanistan's presidential election in August.
Turkish oppositionTurkish opposition
Nato leaders had been widely expected to endorse a new Nato chief at a gala dinner held in Germany to open the summit on Friday.Nato leaders had been widely expected to endorse a new Nato chief at a gala dinner held in Germany to open the summit on Friday.
NATO: KEY MOMENTS Founded 1949, largely to block Soviet expansion into EuropeTwenty-six member states who vow to defend each otherMilitarily dominated by the USActed in non-member state for first time in 1995 - implementing military aspects of Bosnia peace accordOperated outside Europe for first time in 2003 - in Afghanistan New doctrine for new threats New start for US and Russia NATO: KEY MOMENTS Founded 1949, largely to block Soviet expansion into EuropeTwenty-six member states who vow to defend each otherMilitarily dominated by the USActed in non-member state for first time in 1995 - implementing military aspects of Bosnia peace accordOperated outside Europe for first time in 2003 - in Afghanistan New doctrine for new threats New start for US and Russia
Big European powers had backed Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen to replace Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, who steps down at the end of July. Big European powers backed Mr Rasmussen to replace Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, who steps down at the end of July.
But Turkey expressed opposition, based on Mr Rasmussen's stance over the publication in 2005 by a Danish newspaper of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad and because a TV station linked to Kurdish rebels is allowed to broadcast from Denmark.But Turkey expressed opposition, based on Mr Rasmussen's stance over the publication in 2005 by a Danish newspaper of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad and because a TV station linked to Kurdish rebels is allowed to broadcast from Denmark.
His election was confirmed by Mr Scheffer at a news conference on Saturday:
"You know that there has been discussion over the past 36 hours, but the fact that we are standing here next to each other means a solution has been found also for the concerns expressed by Turkey, and we all very much agree and are unanimous."
Many Muslims around the world were angered when Mr Rasmussen refused to censure the newspaper, invoking freedom of speech.Many Muslims around the world were angered when Mr Rasmussen refused to censure the newspaper, invoking freedom of speech.
The disagreement is an embarrassing start, our correspondent says, but leaders appear determined that this will not over-shadow a gathering intended to re-launch the alliance for the 21st Century.