NATO must worker harder in Afghanistan, Rasmussen says (Extra)

Nov 26, 2009, 12:40 GMT

   Berlin - NATO must work harder in Afghanistan now if it wants to pull out sooner, the defence alliance's secretary general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said in Berlin on Thursday.

Paying his first official visit to the German capital in his new role, the Dane was attending a conference on trans-Atlantic security. He was also set to meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel.

'Our job will be done when the Afghans are in a position to keep their country safe and running by themselves,' said Rasmussen. 'The more we do now, the quicker this position will be achieved.'

   Rasmussen made no direct comment on current discussions among the allies on beefing up the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). US news report say US President Barack Obama will announce next week he will send an extra 30,000 personnel to Afghanistan.

The Washington Post has reported that Obama wants allies to provide a further 10,000 personnel.

Germany currently has a legal upper limit of 4,500 on its contingent.

Rasmussen said Germany had taken on a fundamental role.