NATO Defense Chiefs To Discuss Afghanstan

Spanish Defense Minister Suarez Jose Antonio (left) greets his British counterpart, Desmond Browne, in Brussels today (epa) June 8, 2006 -- Defense ministers of NATO are meeting in Brussels today to discuss plans to increase the alliance's security forces in Afghanistan.

NATO is planning to double the number of international troops in restive southern Afghanistan to at least 6,000 by late July as part of an increase in the number of NATO forces in the country to upward of 16,000.

Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak is expected to brief the ministers from the 26 NATO allies about the current situation in Afghanistan amid an increase in attacks by Taliban militants.

U.S. military spokesman Colonel Tom Collins said on June 7 in Kabul that the U.S.-led coalition and Afghan security forces are maintaining the initiative in the battle against militants.

(compiled from agency reports)