NICE, France, Feb 10 (AFP) - NATO chief Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said Thursday that the alliance was now ready to expand its peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan into the restive country's west.
"We have the resources we need to expand ISAF," he said at a meeting of NATO defence ministers here in reference to the long-awaited expansion of the International Security Assistance Force.
NATO took over the ISAF force in 2003. It currently comprises some 8,300 soldiers from more than 30 countries, deployed in the Afghan capital Kabul and the north in the form of provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs).
Last year NATO's political leaders agreed to extend into the more remote west of the country. But military chiefs have struggled to drum up the necessary contributions on the ground -- until now.
The alliance is reluctant to reveal details, but officials have indicated that Italy, Spain and Lithuania are among NATO countries willing to take over PRTs in the west and a forward operating base in the city of Herat.
For the United States, the NATO decision is welcome news, as it seeks to ease the pressure on its forces committed both in Afghanistan and Iraq, its two key frontlines in the "war on terrorism" triggered by the September 11 attacks.
02/10/2005 14:30 GMT - AFP