US special envoy praises German contribution to NATO mission in Afghanistan

The US special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan has praised Germany's contribution to NATO's Afghan mission.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel addresses a news conference in  Berlin, January 26, 2010. Germany aims to raise its troop count in  Afghanistan by 500, and hopes Afghan authorities will be able to  assume control of their own security by 2014, Chancellor Angela  Merkel said on Tuesday.REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY - Tags:  POLITICS HEADSHOT)

Germany, announced on Tuesday that it would increase its contingent in Afghanistan by up to 850 troops and focus more on training local security forces. US Special Representative, Richard Holbrooke said his country would increase "agricultural support" for Afghanistan, in a bid to improve the country's economy.

He also said he was hopeful the upcoming London conference would establish international support for re-integrating some Taliban militants back into mainstream society.