NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen has assured US President Barack Obama that its troops will remain in Afghanistan for as long as it takes to finish its mission. He said the operation there "is not America's responsibility or burden alone: it is and it will remain a team effort".

The former Danish prime minister was speaking during a visit with President Obama at the White House. Mr Rasmussen says he agrees with the Obama approach of "strategy first, then resources". President Obama is scheduled to take part in a top-level meeting with General McChrystal, the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, and General David Petraeus, head of US central command, on Wednesday as the US leader considers tactics before making a final decision on strategy.

Last week, General Stanley McChrystal warned that the Afghan effort was likely to result in failure without a "significant change in strategy" involving more troops and resources. General McChrystal has reportedly requested up to 40,000 more US soldiers to fight the Taliban insurgency. European Union countries are awaiting the final outcome of the Afghan presidential elections - due in about a week's time - before considering a request to dispatch extra soldiers there.
 

NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen