Nato committed to Afghan training

BRUSSELS: NATO remains committed to the mission of strengthening the capabilities of the Afghan military to ensure national security, military officials said.

U.S. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top military commander for Afghanistan, joined NATO military leaders in a brief to member state representatives following a tour of the country.

The NATO Military Committee said that although the situation in Afghanistan is serious and difficult, officials saw positive signs of development.

Top commanders said the tour provided valuable information in terms of the progress of the military campaign in Afghanistan and developments of the Afghan military, which NATO identified as a "key element."

The NATO briefing comes as world leaders ponder their next move in Afghanistan following dour assessments from top military commanders. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced Wednesday he would send another 500 troops to Afghanistan while U.S. President Barack Obama considers sending as many as 40,000 additional American troops to the embattled Central Asian nation.

Italian Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola, chairman of the NATO Military Committee, expressed similar sentiments, noting the alliance remained committed to its mission.

"NATO remains strongly committed to Afghanistan," he said. "We will continue to strengthen the Afghan national security forces so that the Afghan government can provide stability and security for its people."