NATO Reinforcing Afghanistan

Prime Minister Gordon Brown is ready to announce another 5000 troops headed to Afghanistan on the heels of the US troop increase.

Gordon Brown paved the way today for the announcement next Tuesday of a large US troop surge in Afghanistan by saying he had received assurances from Nato countries that they would contribute an extra 5,000 troops.

The assurances are significant because both Brown and Barack Obama have said they will not commit more of their own troops unless there are increases in other Nato troop numbers.

There was some confusion in Nato circles as to the source of Brown's optimism that the number of troops could rise by 5,000, but the prime minister's spokesman said his assessment came after discussions with 10 coalition partners.

In his letter to the Nato secretary general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the prime minister said he was optimistic that 'a majority of these countries will indeed make available increased numbers of troops, and more police trainers and civilian support'.

By: Brant