U.S. calls for more int'l support to Afghanistan

The United States is expecting the international community, especially its NATO allies, to send more troops and equipment into insurgency-wracked Afghanistan.

"The greatest threat to Afghanistan's future is abandonment by the international community," Richard Boucher, the State Department's point man for Afghanistan, told a Senate hearing on the turmoil in Afghanistan.

"We expect more from our NATO allies; we have promised the Afghan people to assist in stabilizing their country, and we must give NATO personnel the tools they need to make good on that promise," he said.

"Success is possible but not assured. Therefore, the international community needs to continue and expand its efforts," said Boucher.

There are about 40,000 NATO and 29,000 U.S.-led coalition force soldiers in Afghanistan at present.

It was reported that the United States will deploy an additional 3,200 marines this spring, of which 2,200 will be deployed to the NATO's southern regional command while the remaining 1,000 marines will train with Afghan forces.

(Xinhua)