This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/6341065.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Extra troops plea for Afghanistan Nato chief in Afghanistan pledge
(about 13 hours later)
Nato military commanders are set to make a further request from member states for more troops and resources to fight the Taleban in Afghanistan. The Secretary General of Nato, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, has pledged that the international community will do a "better job" in Afghanistan.
The new Nato commander in Afghanistan, Gen Dan McNeill, will call for 2,000 extra troops to patrol the country's border with Pakistan. He said that this year the entire international community would step up its support for the Afghan people.
Troop numbers under Nato command in Afghanistan have risen from 9,000 to more than 33,000 over nine months. Mr Scheffer was addressing Nato defence ministers at the opening of two days of talks in the Spanish city of Seville.
The forces expect a Taleban offensive in southern regions in the spring. Nato commanders at the conference will request more troops and resources from member states to fight the Taleban.
Gen McNeill is also expected to ask for more helicopters and special forces from member states, during the meeting of Nato defence ministers in the Spanish city of Seville. 'Reconstruction and development'
Mr Scheffer pledged more money on reconstruction and training and more money for the Afghan national army and police.
We need development, reconstruction and nation-building Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
"Better equipment will be donated to the Afghan national army and police," he said.
He said the alliance would provide sufficient troops to confront the Taleban, who are predicted to be preparing a major offensive against the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) in coming weeks.
"There will be more forces in Nato-Isaf to better create the conditions for reconstruction and development to take place," he told the meeting.
There are currently around 33,000 troops from 37 nations in Afghanistan. Their objective is to strengthen the remit of the weak central government and provide the necessary levels of security for reconstruction to take place.
Gen McNeill has been based in Afghanistan before
Correspondents say that Afghanistan's lawless border regions with Pakistan is a major haven for international terrorism, and is the area where the Taleban are regrouping.
The new Nato commander in Afghanistan, Gen Dan McNeill, says that 2,000 extra troops are needed to patrol the border with Pakistan.
Gen McNeill is expected to ask for more helicopters and special forces from member states at the Seville meeting.
Slow paceSlow pace
The BBC's defence and security correspondent Rob Watson says this is something of a crunch meeting for Nato because its mission in Afghanistan has proved more difficult than expected.The BBC's defence and security correspondent Rob Watson says this is something of a crunch meeting for Nato because its mission in Afghanistan has proved more difficult than expected.
So far only the US and Britain have pledged to send more troops
Some Nato countries like Italy, Spain and France have been reluctant to increase troops numbers or drop restrictions on their soldiers going to more dangerous parts of Afghanistan.Some Nato countries like Italy, Spain and France have been reluctant to increase troops numbers or drop restrictions on their soldiers going to more dangerous parts of Afghanistan.
So far only the US and UK have pledged to send more troops. Germany has agreed to send more reconnaissance planes.So far only the US and UK have pledged to send more troops. Germany has agreed to send more reconnaissance planes.
Although Nato believes it inflicted serious damage on the Taleban last year, commanders have frequently complained they do not have enough troops or the flexibility to achieve an outright victory.Although Nato believes it inflicted serious damage on the Taleban last year, commanders have frequently complained they do not have enough troops or the flexibility to achieve an outright victory.
There has also been frustration at Nato over the slow pace of economic re-development programmes that it believes are needed to convince ordinary Afghans that the continued international presence in the country is worthwhile.There has also been frustration at Nato over the slow pace of economic re-development programmes that it believes are needed to convince ordinary Afghans that the continued international presence in the country is worthwhile.