Germany approves Afghan force

The cabinet approved an upper limit of 1,200 troops

By the BBC's Rob Broomby in Berlin

Germany has approved the sending of up to 1,200 troops to Afghanistan to join the international peacekeeping force.

The force will be led by British troops - but only for three months

The lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, voted 538-35 in favour, in a sign of support for Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's governing coalition, with only the former communists opposing the decision.

Mr Schroeder said the decision as a positive one for Afghanistan.

"We are making this decision in a situation where peace in Afghanistan is nearer," he said.

"After everything we've discussed concerning the force's mandate, I believe everyone here can justify a 'yes' vote."

Peacekeeping force

The German forces will form part of the 3,000-5,000 strong peacekeeping force under British command which was approved by the United Nations Security Council on Thursday.

The force will be led by British troops - but only for three months

The force will be under British leadership for the first three months, though the mission itself is expected to last at least twice as long.

Defence Minister Rudolf Scharping said that the first German troops would probably be sent between Christmas and the New Year.

On Friday Germany's cabinet had approved the measure, although there was disagreement as to how long troops should serve in Afghanistan.

Leadership disagreement

Berlin had said the leaders of the mission should be prepared to see the operation through until the end, despite the fact that Britain has made it clear it only wants to take charge for three months.

Scharping: "Yes" vote justified

Germany had also wanted a separate command structure from that of the US forces, who are still hunting Osama Bin Laden in Afghanistan, but the multinational peacekeeping force will be under overall US military authority.

A German ministry spokesman said they were satisfied the United Nations mandate made it clear there was a difference between the two missions. There would be co-ordination he said, but not subordination.

As to the leadership vacuum when the British pull out of Afghanistan in March, Mr Scharping said it was clear that Germany did not yet have the capability to take on this responsibility.

"Germany does not yet have the command and support structures to lead such a multinational mission over such a long distance," he said.

Germany's government has faced criticism over its perceived lack of military spending, and Mr Scharping acknowledged that the German military was short of crucial equipment.