The Dutch cabinet has made no announcement following talks on Tuesday about the country's mission in Afghanistan. The ministers most closely involved are preparing for a decision prior to the Afghanistan conference in London scheduled for later in January.

Two parties in the three-party coalition, Labour and the Christian Union, want the mission to end in 2011. Christian Union Defence Minister Eimert Middelkoop, however, disagrees with his party and wants the mission to be extended, be it on a smaller scale. Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen, a Christian Democrat shares his view.

The two ministers are considering either a new, smaller mission in the southern province of Uruzgan, or in another province. Another option is for Dutch military personnel to train the Afghan army or police.

Sources close to Tuesday's talks confirmed that no decision had been taken.

Dutch Defence Minister Van Middelkoop with troops in Uruzgan (ANP Photo)