German General Norbert van Heyst told ARD public television from the Afghan capital Kabul that more troops needed to be deployed to ensure security ahead of next year's planned elections.

"It must be thought through carefully. I would suggest as a general figure that we would need around 10,000 additional troops in Afghanistan."

The international security force ISAF currently comprises 4,600 troops from 29 nations, but has a limited mandate that does not extend beyond the Afghan capital.

Afghanistan's government has struggled to impose authority outside Kabul since the US-led war to topple the Taliban regime ended in late 2001.

Van Heyst said that in order for the elections to be seen as fair by Afghan and international observers, troops would have to be deployed in the provinces to support organisers and monitors.

"I believe it would be the right thing to extend security in Kabul out into the provinces," he added.

"ISAF could be deployed in the provinces. That's a political decision that as a military man I cannot evaluate.

"But one thing is for sure: you would need extra troops for it. And at the moment I can't see any nation prepared to make soldiers available beyond those who are already stationed in Kabul."

Van Heyst said he believed it would be "another two or three years" before Afghanistan had secure administrative structures in place.

In the meantime, the country would continue to need international support, notably via ISAF.

WAR.WIRE