Afghanistan reinforced before polls

Kabul, September 8, 2004 - Nato countries have agreed to increase the size of their military contingents in Afghanistan to help provide more security before the elections on October 9. The number of Nato personnel will increase from 6,500 to 10,000. Britain has agreed to provide six RAF Harrier bombers. The Dutch are sending six F-16 strike aircraft.

Other countries will strengthen the 6,500-strong international security assistance force, which is based in Kabul , though there are a number of small provincial reconstruction teams in Mazar-i-Sharif, Meymaneh and elsewhere.