United States General Stanley McCrystal has asked Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen to extend the Netherlands' mission in Afghanistan.
 
Radio Netherlands Worldwide correspondent Bette Dam reports that the two men met on the fringe of the conference on Afghanistan which is being held in London.
 
The US general, who is pushing for extra troops in Afghanistan, told Mr Verhagen that the country was going through a crucial period. He also praised the work being done in Afghanistan by Dutch soldiers.
 
Mr Verhagen stressed that any decision about extending the Dutch mission would be taken in The Hague and not in London.
 
The present mission's mandate expires in August and MPs, the majority of whom are against an extension, are urging the cabinet to decide on the issue now. The government had said it would come to a decision before Christmas.