26 August 2005

BRUSSELS - NATO is set to send an extra 2,000 troops to Afghanistan for next month's general and regional elections, bringing the total deployment there to some 11,000, it was stated Thursday.

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force would complete the deployment of additional forces for the 18 September elections, a statement confirmed in Brussels.

"The Election Support Forces will assist Afghanistan's police and army in providing area security for the elections by conducting operations both on the ground and in the air," it said.

"They will also stand prepared to assist the Government forces in responding to unforeseen situations in order to enable an environment conducive to the successful conduct of National Assembly and Provincial Council Elections."

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said: "The deployment of additional forces to Afghanistan underscores the alliance's continuing commitment to support the Afghan Government and its people along the path to a stable and democratic future."

The additional ISAF troops would be from ten nations - Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Sweden and the United States.

DPA

Subject: German news