Spain to send 500 more troops to Afghanistan

Madrid, Dec 18 : Spain will send 511 more troops to join its contingent in Afghanistan, bringing the total to more than 1,500 soldiers, defence minister Carme Chacon announced Thursday.

The new troops will help train Afghan soldiers and provide security in Badghis province, the minister told parliament.

Spain was responding to the appeal of US President Barack Obama and of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.

Obama has pledged to send 30,000 additional US forces to Afghanistan, putting pressure on NATO's other members to follow suit.