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Extra Nato troops for Afghan poll Extra Nato troops for Afghan poll
(30 minutes later)
Nato has agreed to boost troop numbers to cover the Afghan presidential election in August, outgoing alliance chief Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has said.Nato has agreed to boost troop numbers to cover the Afghan presidential election in August, outgoing alliance chief Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has said.
Germany, Spain and Portugal are among countries to have offered a temporary increase in troops, at the alliance's summit in Strasbourg, sources say. Germany, Spain, Portugal and Italy are among countries to have offered a temporary increase in troops at the alliance's summit in Strasbourg.
The summit also agreed to appoint Danish PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen as Mr Scheffer's replacement.The summit also agreed to appoint Danish PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen as Mr Scheffer's replacement.
Anti-Nato protesters have fought police and set buildings alight in Strasbourg.Anti-Nato protesters have fought police and set buildings alight in Strasbourg.
They set a hotel and a customs house on fire and three columns of smoke could be seen rising over the Europe Bridge area of the French city, across from the small town of Kehl in Germany, where part of the summit was held.They set a hotel and a customs house on fire and three columns of smoke could be seen rising over the Europe Bridge area of the French city, 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 challenges Extra 5,000
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. "We will deploy the forces necessary to support the upcoming elections in Afghanistan," Mr Scheffer told the news conference after the summit.
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, Mr Scheffer said Afghanistan - where alliance forces are battling a resurgent Taleban - was the most ambitious military operation Nato had ever undertaken. Nato was also providing more trainers and mentors for the Afghan army and police, he said.
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". "The bottom line is that when it comes to Afghanistan, this summit, and this alliance, have delivered," Mr Scheffer added.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged that her country would do its bit. According to a White House statement, America's Nato allies are committing "up to 5,000" more military personnel to Afghanistan, for training and the election period.
"I'm very pleased that the new American strategy which President Obama set out fits very well with what we all think. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said that 900 troops would come from Britain, 600 from Germany and 600 from Spain.
"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." Italy and France were fresh committing forces, too, he added.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown welcomed promises of extra troops.
"I am pleased to say that a large number of countries have announced that they will provide additional support: Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Poland, Turkey and Croatia have joined Germany, who have already made similar announcements," he said at the end of the summit.
"That means that burden-sharing over these next few critical months is a reality."
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 was to re-energise Nato to win a war that everyone accepts is not going very well, says BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus in Strasbourg. Earlier, German Chancellor Angela Merkel commended US President Barack Obama's new strategy for Afghanistan, saying: "It fits very well with what we all think."
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.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has offered a temporary increase in troops ahead of Afghanistan's presidential election in August.
Turkish oppositionTurkish opposition
Big European powers backed Mr 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.
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
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: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.""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.