The resolution, approved by 335 votes against two, follows a request by NATO for permission to deploy two Hungarian soldiers serving under its command to Afghanistan as part of its 5,300-strong peacekeeping force there.

Under the Hungarian consitution parliament needs to approve the deployment of troops abroad by a two-thirds majority.

Defense Minister Ferenc Juhasz said the government had stipulated 50 soldiers as it did not want to have to call a special sitting of parliament every time NATO asked it to contribute peacekeepers for Afghanistan.

"NATO's first request was for only two soldiers but a recent decision by the Alliance will see it play greater role in Afghanistan and that is why we asked to raise our limit to 50," he said.

NATO on Monday agreed to broaden the mandate of its peacekeeping force beyond Kabul.

Hungary, a NATO member since 1999, has been criticized for being slow to commit troops abroad, especially after parliament in May debated for over a month before deciding to send 300 troops to Iraq to aid in that country's reconstruction.

WAR.WIRE