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Afghan force 'needs more troops' Afghan force 'needs more troops'
(20 minutes later)
Nato's top commander, General James Jones, has urged member countries to provide reinforcements to the mission in southern Afghanistan.Nato's top commander, General James Jones, has urged member countries to provide reinforcements to the mission in southern Afghanistan.
He admitted the military alliance had been taken aback by the extent of violence in the region.He admitted the military alliance had been taken aback by the extent of violence in the region.
But he predicted that the coming weeks would be decisive in the fight against Islamist Taleban guerrillas.But he predicted that the coming weeks would be decisive in the fight against Islamist Taleban guerrillas.
Commanders on the ground had asked for several hundred additional troops and more helicopters and airlift, he said.Commanders on the ground had asked for several hundred additional troops and more helicopters and airlift, he said.
"We are talking about modest reinforcements," he told reporters at Nato European headquarters in Belgium."We are talking about modest reinforcements," he told reporters at Nato European headquarters in Belgium.
We should recognise we are a little bit surprised at the level of intensity, and that the opposition in some areas are not relying on traditional hit-and-run tactics General James Jones
Several Nato soldiers, most of them British or Canadian, have been killed in fierce fighting with Taleban guerrillas since the alliance extended its peacekeeping mission to the south a month ago.Several Nato soldiers, most of them British or Canadian, have been killed in fierce fighting with Taleban guerrillas since the alliance extended its peacekeeping mission to the south a month ago.
Nato troops took over leadership of military operations in the region from the US.Nato troops took over leadership of military operations in the region from the US.
German troops
Gen Jones is due to meet generals from the 26 Nato nations this weekend in Warsaw, Poland.Gen Jones is due to meet generals from the 26 Nato nations this weekend in Warsaw, Poland.
The US marine general said he would initially ask for reinforcements from existing contributors to the 37-nation International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), including Germany, which has several thousand troops in the calmer north of the country.The US marine general said he would initially ask for reinforcements from existing contributors to the 37-nation International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), including Germany, which has several thousand troops in the calmer north of the country.
'Before winter'
He told reporters that Nato forces had expected some opposition in southern Afghanistan, but added: "We should recognise we are a little bit surprised at the level of intensity, and that the opposition in some areas are not relying on traditional hit-and-run tactics."He told reporters that Nato forces had expected some opposition in southern Afghanistan, but added: "We should recognise we are a little bit surprised at the level of intensity, and that the opposition in some areas are not relying on traditional hit-and-run tactics."
However, he said he was confident the situation could be contained relatively quickly.However, he said he was confident the situation could be contained relatively quickly.
"It is my feeling that... certainly before the winter, we will see this decisive moment in the region turn favourably to the forces that represent the (Afghan) government and the efforts we are trying to achieve.""It is my feeling that... certainly before the winter, we will see this decisive moment in the region turn favourably to the forces that represent the (Afghan) government and the efforts we are trying to achieve."
He said reinforcements "will help us reduce casualties and help us bring this to a successful conclusion in a shorter period of time".He said reinforcements "will help us reduce casualties and help us bring this to a successful conclusion in a shorter period of time".
The Taleban ruled Afghanistan until late 2001 when it was toppled by US-led forces in the wake of the 11 September attacks on New York and Washington.The Taleban ruled Afghanistan until late 2001 when it was toppled by US-led forces in the wake of the 11 September attacks on New York and Washington.