Britain is poised to send another 450 troops to Afghanistan to fight the Taliban following pressure from the United States, the Daily Telegraph reported Monday.
Despite concerns that British forces are already over stretched, the government is seriously considering a U.S. request for Britain to take command of all NATO troops in southern Afghanistan for another two years of intense combat with the Taliban.
Defense officials believe the plan will require even more troops and they have drawn up proposals to send another 450 servicemen to Afghanistan, taking British troops there above 8,200,the daily said.
Canada currently holds the command of NATO forces in southern Afghanistan, with the responsibility due to pass to the Netherlands for nine months from November.
Washington wants Britain to replace the Dutch command and run the Regional Command (South) area from autumn this year until at least the spring of 2010, according to the newspaper.
But the British Ministry of Defense declined to comment.
Ninety-one British personnel have died in Afghanistan since 2001.
Source: Xinhua
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