The force will consist of a Spanish and an Italian battalion, who will join the 6,500 NATO forces troops already deployed.

At the alliance summit in Istanbul last month NATO leaders took a decision in principle to beef up the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) but left the details open.

"The Spanish battalion (about 800 men) will provide the ISAF Quick Reaction Force and the Italian battalion (up to 1,000 troops) will provide the in-theatre Operational Reserve Force," the alliance statement said.

"These additional forces will deploy to Afghanistan by September and will remain about eight weeks to cover the election period."

The Italian contingent is drawn from the NATO rapid reaction force, established last year to respond to potential crises.

The US ambassador to NATO Nicholas Burns said he was satisfied with the alliance's decision.

"NATO's support is a significant step in the efforts of the international community to help the Afghan people, who have shown their strong desire to exercise their democratic rights and make the transition to a constitutional representative government," he said in a statement.

The alliance will take control of the civilian and military provincial reconstruction teams, three of which are already under NATO command, in the north of the country at Kunduz, Mazar-i-Sharif and Meymana.

It is due to take over control of two others, also in the north, at Feyzabad and Baghlan, by the end of the summer.

"As requested by President Karzai, Afghan authorities will retain primary responsibility for security throughout the election process," the statement said.

WAR.WIRE