No more Norwegian troops to Afghanistan

Defence Minister Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen. Photo: Regjeringen.

The Government has no plans for sending more Norwegian troops to Afghanistan. Neither has it received any concrete requests from NATO to do so, according to Defence Minister Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen.

The decision comes after the U.S. has announced an increase of 17,000 men to Afghanistan, expecting its allies to also contribute more.

Defence Minister Strøm-Erichsen says that Norway has not received any direct request, and adds that neither had she expected one.

Defence Chief Sverre Diesen confirms that Norway is unable to contribute more men beyond the 575 deployed in Afghanisatn today.

He says there is a possibility that a temporary strengthening of the Norwegian presence may be possible in connection with the elections in August, but no permanent increase.

Source: Norway Post / NRK