Blair to press for Afghan troops at EU summit

LONDON, Mar 7 (Reuters) British Prime Minister Tony Blair called today for NATO partners to provide more troops in Afghanistan and said the matter would be discussed at this week's European Union summit.

''We have got to press for the additional battle group from elsewhere, we're continuing to do that,'' Blair told parliament.

''I want more to be done by other NATO countries. This will be part of the discussion informally at the European summit.'' European Union leaders meet tomorrow and Friday in Brussels.

Afghanistan is not on the formal agenda of a meeting to be dominated by EU efforts to launch an ambitious policy to tackle climate change.

Britain announced last month it would send an extra 1,400 troops to Afghanistan because most NATO allies have refused to send more soldiers, or agree to deploy existing units to tackle a resurgent Taliban in its southern and eastern strongholds.

British forces there will increase from 5,500 to about 7,700 this year. A battle group amounts to about 800 troops.

NATO this week began a spring offensive against the Taliban, launching its biggest attacks since the 2001 war.

''Some countries have lifted caveats, others haven't, and we continue to press them the entire time to do so. ... We are sure that in the end we will be able to get the support that we need,'' Blair added.

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has nearly quadrupled within the last three years, largely as a result of US and British reinforcements, and the transfer of US troops from a separate U.S.-led coalition to ISAF.

The force now stands at 35,000 troops, with nearly 23,000 of those either American or British. Allies such as France and Italy have declined to send more troops, pointing to existing commitments in Africa, Lebanon, the Balkans and elsewhere.

Some countries have also imposed restrictions, known as ''caveats'', on what their troops can do and where they go.

A NATO spokesman confirmed he understood alliance commanders in Afghanistan still sought the equivalent of a battalion of soldiers plus helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. A battalion comprises about 500 to 1,000 soldiers.

''We are getting closer and closer,'' he said, referring to efforts to plug longstanding shortfalls in ISAF.

''In the end these are political decisions. If Prime Minister Blair wishes to raise this issue with his counterparts, of course it is ultimately in his authority and his decision.'' REUTERS SP KP2232