Britain already has 8,600 troops in Afghanistan Photo: PASurge Of Troops In Afghanistan 'Needed For Five Years', Says Nato Commander -- The Telegraph
The surge of extra international troops heading to Afghanistan may need to stay for five years the commander of the country's Nato-led coalition has said.
General David McKiernan has asked for more than 30,000 extra US soldiers over the next 18 months to fight the Taliban-led insurgency.
He said there would be "more expected" of other Nato partners and said 2009 would be "a tough year".
A tipping point when the Afghan police and army were strong enough to begin taking charge of security was "some way off" he warned.
He told The Daily Telegraph: "I think we will need increased security commitments for the next three to five years."
Britain already has 8,600 troops in the country and their ranks are expected to swell to around 10,000 over the next 12 months.
Last year saw the highest death toll in Afghanistan since the Taliban regime was ousted by US-backed forces in 2001.
The General, who currently commands 55,000 troops, said while progress was being made in the north and east of Afghanistan, it was uneven.
"2008 was a tough year, 2009 will be a tough year," he said. "There's a resiliency to this insurgency and there are fundamental problems with poverty."
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More News On Afghanistan
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FACTBOX-Security developments in Afghanistan, Feb 9 -- Reuters
Frustration With War, Problems in Daily Life Send Afghans' Support for U.S. Efforts Tumbling -- ABC News
Poll: US, allies, Kabul government losing ground -- AP
Afghan people 'losing confidence' -- BBC
Where Things Stand: Afghanistan in Turmoil -- ABC News
Afghanistan's Karzai Offers Peace to 'Friendly Taliban' -- Voice of America
Fanatical Taliban Wing Moves into Kandahar -- Toronto Star
Anti-war Lawmakers Worry Over Plan for Afghanistan -- Associated Press
U.S. to Enlist Iran in Combating Afghan Drug Trade -- Wall Street Journal
US to Target Afghan Drug Trade -- Wall Street Journal
Italians 'to Boost Afghan Force' -- BBC News
Afghan leader considered unreliable by Obama administration -- Dallas News
It Has Begun... Dems Call Afghanistan the New "Vietnam Quagmire" -- Gateway Pundit
Planning Victory in Afghanistan -- National Review
With friends like these, who needs Washington? -- Wizbang
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 573 -- International Herald Tribune
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