NATO to send 7,000 more troops to Afghanistan

The Secretary general of NATO has announced that two dozen countries will send an additional 7-thousand troops to Afghanistan, to coincide with US President Barack Obama's new strategy. Liu Yanhua has more.

NATO's Secretary General says at least 25 countries from the military alliance, will provide additional forces to Afghanistan.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, made the announcement after talks in Brussels with foreign ministers from 44 countries that are participating in the international coalition in Afghanistan.

The troop surge comes in response to the US call of more assistance from its NATO allies for improving security in Afghanistan.

NATO allies say Afghanistan should prepare to take charge of its own destiny.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO Secretary General, said, "The transition to Afghan lead will be condition-based. It's clearly our aim to hand over lead responsibility to the Afghans but it is a pre-condition that the Afghan security forces are capable to take on that responsibility."

Meanwhile, some countries are holding off on sending additional troops, waiting for an international conference on Afghanistan to be held in London in January.

The countries include France and Germany.