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Afghan focus for key Nato summit Nato leaders mull Afghan 'test'
(about 2 hours later)
The challenges Nato faces in Afghanistan are set to dominate the agenda as leaders of the alliance meet in France for a day of summit talks. Key European leaders at a Nato summit have voiced support to tackle the challenges posed by Afghanistan and hailed the US president's new strategy.
In a symbolic show of unity to mark Nato's 60th anniversary, leaders crossed a bridge from Germany to be greeted by President Nicolas Sarkozy. French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Nato could not afford to fail in Afghanistan, while Germany's Angela Merkel said it was a test case for all.
Security is tight in Strasbourg for the summit, and French police have again used tear gas against protesters. Afghanistan looks set to dominate the meeting marking Nato's 60th anniversary jointly hosted by France and Germany.
Meanwhile, leaders have so far failed to agree on a new secretary general.Meanwhile, leaders have so far failed to agree on a new secretary general.
The summit is being jointly hosted by Germany and France. Security is tight in Strasbourg for the summit. French police have again used tear gas against protesters and there were dozens of arrests in the run-up to the gathering.
Dozens of people have been arrested over the past two days in the run-up to the gathering.
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Tear gas fired at Nato protesters Police fire tear gas at protesters
Sternest challengesSternest challenges
Nato leaders walked across a footbridge over 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 Read Mark Mardell's Euroblog 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?
But the sternest challenges facing the alliance now lie thousands of miles away in Afghanistan. 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.
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, reporting from Strasbourg. President Sarkozy said Nato could not afford to lose, because some of the freedom of the world was at stake in Afghanistan.
Last month, Mr Obama set out a new strategy for the conflict. Chancellor Merkel pledged that Germany would do its bit, and that Nato wanted Afghanistan to become self-supporting.
In addition to more troops, he wants to send more funding and trainers to build up Afghanistan's security forces, as well as expert advisors to reinforce the country's crumbling infrastructure. 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.
Mr Obama's new strategy foresees sending more troops, more funding and trainers to build up Afghanistan's security forces, as well as expert advisors to reinforce the country's crumbling infrastructure.
Speaking in Strasbourg on Friday, he appealed to European leaders to unite in support of the fight against al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.Speaking in Strasbourg on Friday, he appealed to European leaders to unite in support of the fight against al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.
"It is probably more likely that al-Qaeda would be able to launch a serious terrorist attack in Europe than in the United States because of proximity," he said.
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
"It is probably more likely that al-Qaeda would be able to launch a serious terrorist attack in Europe than in the United States because of proximity," he said.
"This is not an American mission, this is a Nato mission, this is an international mission.""This is not an American mission, this is a Nato mission, this is an international mission."
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has offered a temporary increase in troops ahead of Afghanistan's presidential elections in August.British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has offered a temporary increase in troops ahead of Afghanistan's presidential elections in August.
But despite European expressions of support for the new American strategy, it was not clear whether the long-term pledges sought by the US would be forthcoming.
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 had backed Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh 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.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.
Many Muslims around the world were angered when Mr Rasmussen refused to censure the paper, invoking freedom of speech.Many Muslims around the world were angered when Mr Rasmussen refused to censure the paper, invoking freedom of speech.
The disagreement is an embarrassing start, says our correspondent Jonathan Marcus, but leaders appear determined that this will not over-shadow a gathering intended to re-launch the alliance for the 21st Century.The disagreement is an embarrassing start, says our correspondent Jonathan Marcus, but leaders appear determined that this will not over-shadow a gathering intended to re-launch the alliance for the 21st Century.