Nato considers Afghan expansion

The alliance's troops have been concentrated in the capital, Kabul

Nato's top commander in Europe says the alliance could expand its peacekeeping force in Afghanistan ahead of a parliamentary poll planned for April.

General James Jones said the number of troops needed could be up to 1,000, but any final figure would depend on the number offered by member countries.

All military operations in Afghanistan should come under one command, he said.

The alliance's multinational force of 9,000 currently works alongside US-led coalition troops in the country.

'Acceptable solution'

Nato has been in charge of the international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan since late last year, its first so-called out-of-area mission.

QUICK GUIDE

Afghanistan

The Afghan authorities have repeatedly asked for the expansion of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), which is limited to the capital, Kabul, and a few northern provinces.

"I hope we would see something by spring," the US general said at a news conference at Nato's military headquarters south of the Belgian capital, Brussels.

Gen Jones backed a US suggestion to eventually integrate the two forces in Afghanistan under a single command.

It's always better to integrate if you can General James Jones, Nato's top commander in Europe

German and French defence ministers have rejected the proposal, allowing Nato to take overall responsibility for peacekeeping and reconstruction in Afghanistan.

"We will have to come up with a solution that is acceptable to all 26 (member countries) which takes into account the sensitivities of some countries to combat," Gen Jones said.

"It's always better to integrate if you can," he added.