Germany to increase Afghan troop contingent by up to 850, focus on training
By APTuesday, January 26, 2010
Germany to increase Afghan contingent by up to 850
BERLIN — Germany plans to increase its troop contingent in Afghanistan by up to 850 and focus more strongly on training local security forces, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday.
Berlin plans to send 500 extra troops to Afghanistan. It also expects to adjust the parliamentary mandate under which they serve to allow for another 350 soldiers to be deployed as a “flexible reserve,” to help with events such as elections if necessary, Merkel said.
She gave the figures after meeting with ministers to thrash out Germany’s position for this week’s London conference on the future of Afghanistan.
Germany currently has nearly 4,300 soldiers in northern Afghanistan. They serve under a parliamentary mandate that sets the maximum number at 4,500; Merkel did not specify what the new upper limit might be.
Merkel said that Germany would step up the number of soldiers involved in training Afghan forces.
She said Berlin is not setting a withdrawal date for its troops.
