Defence Minister Franz Josef Jung has requested an increase of 1,000 German troops in Afghanistan to strengthen the International Security Assistance Force serving in the north of the country. Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, Jung said the government wanted to raise the number of troops to 4,500 beginning this autumn.
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German citizen held by US forces as terror suspect ... mandate for German troops operating in Afghanistan foresees a maximum of 3,500 non-combat troops. That mandate is due to expire in October and any changes are subject to approval by the German parliament. Jung wants to extend the mandate to at least December 2009. Germany has been under pressure from NATO partners to bolster its troop contingent in Afghanistan and deploy troops to the south to help battle Taliban insurgents.
(Deutsche Welle)
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