MPs may well back Dutch forces staying in Afghanistan to train Afghan army personnel. On Saturday, a British NATO general said that such training would constitute an important contribution by the Dutch.

The cabinet has to decide soon whether the Dutch military mission in Afghanistan should be extended. It is due to end this year, and the two leading members of the ruling coalition, the Christian Democrats and Labour, disagree as to whether Dutch troops should pull out or not.
 

Labour says the government must honour a pledge to end the mission after the present mandate expires. However, the Christian Democrats are refusing to rule out a further extension to the Dutch military presence.
 

Labour parliamentary leader Mariette Hamer has said on radio that she thinks the British general's suggestion is an interesting option. Her Christian Democrat counterpart Pieter van Geel says training Afghan soldiers could prove an important part of any future Dutch mission in Afghanistan.

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide