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Nato leaders mull Afghan 'test' Nato leaders mull Afghan 'test'
(20 minutes later)
Key European leaders at a Nato summit have voiced support for tackling the challenges posed by Afghanistan and hailed the US president's new strategy.Key European leaders at a Nato summit have voiced support for tackling the challenges posed by Afghanistan and hailed the US president's new strategy.
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.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.
Afghanistan looks set to dominate the meeting marking Nato's 60th anniversary jointly hosted by France and Germany. Afghanistan looks set to dominate the Strasbourg summit, which is struggling to agree on a new secretary general.
The summit in Strasbourg is struggling to agree on a new secretary general. Protesters on the streets outside fought police and set buildings alight.
Advertisement They fought running battles on the French side of the River Rhine, setting alight a hotel and a customs house.
Police fire tear gas at protesters 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.
The leaders had "quite a constructive discussion" in the morning on sending extra troops, diplomatic sources have told the BBC.
A small number of anti-Nato protesters fought running battles with riot police on Saturday, setting alight a customs house on the French side of the River Rhine.
Three columns of smoke could be seen rising over the 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 Sarkozy said Nato could not afford to lose "because there [Afghanistan], some of the freedom of the world is at stake." President Sarkozy said Nato could not afford to lose "because there [Afghanistan], some of the freedom of the world is at stake".
Chancellor Merkel pledged that Germany would do its bit.Chancellor Merkel pledged that Germany 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 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 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.
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.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.