NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said he hopes Dutch forces will remain in Afghanistan beyond their scheduled withdrawal next year. At a press conference, he said he would regret the Netherlands withdrawing from the Afghan mission.

He believes NATO's mission in Afghanistan is at a crucial stage and that the alliance cannot afford to be seen to be irresolute. He called on European countries to do more to even the balance between their effort and that of the United States.

He also is pressing Russia to allow supplies to travel via its territory to Afghanistan. He also believes Russia could help train and equip Afghan forces.

photo: Anders Fogh Rasmussen (ANP/EPA)