Afghanistan extension on cards

Kiwi troops in Afghanistan are likely to be asked to dig in for longer as the Government prepares to review the six-year-old deployment amid mounting pressure on the United States' allies to do more.

Government sources say there has been no request yet from the US for more Kiwi troops but it would "not be a surprise" if there were.

Australia is under pressure from US military leaders to take the lead role in Nato-led coalition operations in Afghanistan's Oruzgan province and increase its commitment, according to reports.

At least 800 extra Australian troops would be required, The Australian newspaper reported.

The push for more Australian troops comes as US President Barack Obama prepares to step up pressure on his country's European allies to provide more toops to support Nato's 55,000-strong International Security Assistance force.

The US expects to lift its troop commitment in Afghanistan by about 25,000 over the next three years.

New Zealand has 132 troops in Afghanistan's Bamyan province, nearly six years after they were sent there on a year-long deployment.

It also has instructors with the Afghan National Army Training Team, an officer based with the United Nations Assistance Mission and two staff officers and a driver at the International Security Assistance Force headquarters in Kabul.

The pressure from the US for international troops to do more in Afghanistan comes as Cabinet prepares to receive a briefing paper on extending the Bamyan commitment beyond September.

Sources have confirmed it is likely to be rolled over.

The Labour government and the Defence Force answered previous suggestions that troop numbers be increased with concerns that it would overstretch the armed forces.

- © Fairfax NZ News