Defence Minister Bogdan Klich has confirmed speculation that the government will be asking President Lech Kaczynski, head of the armed forces in Poland, to send more troops to Afghanistan.

Poland currently has 1600 troops in the country, but more will be sent out this May, said Minister Klich.

The defence minister refused to name a figure as to how many troops would be deployed, however.

The outgoing NATO secretary-general, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, who is currently in Kabul on a farewell tour, called for an extra 4,000 troops to join the multinational force, who are expecting the Taliban to increase its insurgent activities now that the winter is coming to an end.

Poland was one of the few countries to respond to earlier calls for troop reinforcement in Afghanistan. Most countries, such as Germany, put certain caveats in the way of full participation. (pg)

Source: Reuters