UK 'may add Afghan troops'
More British troops could be dispatched to Afghanistan
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Sunday, 21, Oct 2007 05:47
British military presence in Afghanistan could be escalated to help the Nato deployment there, a spokesman has claimed.
James Appathurai, speaking on behalf of Nato secretary general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, said the UK was discussing "potentially increasing" its force.
Some 7,700 troops are currently stationed in Afghanistan, with the majority in Helmand province in the south of the country.
Mr de Hoop Scheffer is to call on member states to increase their military presence to help fill gaps in the Nato deployment at a summit in the Netherlands this Wednesday.
Talking to BBC Radio 4's The World This Weekend, Mr Apparthurai said: "In the south, we don't think the Dutch are going to leave. The Canadians are looking at exactly what they can do.
"The British are talking in the south not only about keeping what they have but potentially increasing it.
"We are not pessimistic at all. We hope the Dutch will stay, we hope the Canadians will stay and we are working to convince them to do that in one form or another."
The Ministry of Defence has not confirmed any plan to increase the UK's responsibilities in Afghanistan.