Azerbaijan to double Afghanistan force - official

BAKU, May 3 (Reuters) Azerbaijan said today it would double the size of its peacekeeping force in Afghanistan to 44.

''Azerbaijan intends to increase its military peacekeeping contingent in Afghanistan as the country's contribution to international efforts aimed at strengthening security in this country,'' said Azeri Foreign Ministry spokesman Khazar Ibragim.

He said that the Caspian nation had no plans to boost the number of its troops in Iraq and Kosovo.

Oil-producing Azerbaijan participates in NATO's ''Partnership for Peace'', a programme of NATO help for partners in revamping their armies and other defence reforms. NATO sends humanitarian aid to Afghanistan via Azerbaijan.

Neighbouring Georgia has it will raise from 850 to 2,000 the number of its troops serving in the US-led coalition in Iraq and wants to strengthen its peacekeeping effort in Afghanistan.

REUTERS RS RAI2021