BRUSSELS (Reuters) — NATO has almost met its target for extra combat troops in Afghanistan but will press allies this week to meet a shortfall of up to 2,400 people to train Afghan security forces, its secretary general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said Monday.

Mr. Rasmussen said that almost all of the nations contributing to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force had offered to send more troops and that it was now close to the 40,000 additional soldiers it needs.

However, Mr. Rasmussen said the alliance was still short of 21 teams to train the Afghan Army and more than 100 teams to train the police so they can take over responsibility for security.

Mr. Rasmussen said he would urge allies to commit more at a NATO defense ministers’ meeting in Istanbul on Thursday and Friday. “Allies and partners have made substantial contributions, but it isn’t yet sufficient,” he said at a news briefing. “I will continue to push hard on this.”

Mr. Rasmussen said that he “would not exclude the possibility that we will need additional contributions.”

He said: “This training mission is of utmost importance to accomplish the strategy we all agree on. The more we invest in this transition now, the sooner the day when the Afghans can take responsibility themselves.”

More than 110,000 foreign troops are now in Afghanistan. The United States has committed another 30,000 and allies up to 9,000 more, with the aim of containing a widening Taliban insurgency while building up the strength of Afghan forces.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/02/world/asia/02nato.html?ref=todayspaper&pagewanted=print

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