Cameron urges Nato fighting fund

Ninety-one UK troops have died in combat in Afghanistan

David Cameron says Nato needs a radical shake-up to help ease the pressure on countries like Britain and the US who bear the brunt of military operations.

He called for the setting up of a common operational fund which would allow all nations to contribute instead of just those doing the fighting.

He argued that national caveats by Nato members, on how forces can be used, are causing immense damage in Afghanistan.

Gordon Brown is due to attend a key Nato summit in Bucharest on Wednesday.

The UK prime minister and US President George Bush are expected to urge alliance partners to up their contributions to the Nato-led mission in Afghanistan.

Only a small number of Nato's 26-strong membership, most notably the US, Britain, Canada and the Netherlands, are doing the bulk of the fighting at present.