Norway will send about 150 special forces troops to the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan in response to an appeal for reinforcements from the Western alliance, the Associated Press quoted the foreign minister as saying today. The commandos will help provide security and fight terror near the Afghan capital of Kabul, Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said, stressing that they would not be involved in operations elsewhere in the country, including in the south. NATO has been appealing for more troops, especially in the southern part of Afghanistan, to help fight Taliban forces. There are already about 550 Norwegian troops in northern Afghanistan. «Norway received a specific request from NATO on Feb. 5 for an additional military contribution,» including transport planes, fighter aircraft and special forces, Stoere said in Parliament. «The special forces contingent will be in line with NATO's wishes and will be important to defending and maintaining security in the capital,» he said.
