Britain to send 500 extra troops to Afghanistan

BRITAIN; British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced Wednesday an extra 500 troops for Afghanistan, but pressed NATO allies to do their "fair share" in the increasingly deadly and unpopular mission.

Brown also said the Afghan government - whoever is in charge following disputed elections - had to commit to providing more Afghan troops, as well as to get tough on corruption.

The announcement, which takes Britain's force level in Afghanistan to 9,500, came as US President Barack Obama mulls a request for up to 60,000 more troops from General Stanley McChrystal, the top NATO and US commander in Afghanistan.

Brown has opted to boost troop levels despite growing public calls for British forces to come home, plus controversy over the scope and resourcing of the military effort. London,thursdday, AFP