KABUL: Afghanistan welcomed on Thursday the possible deployment of 3,000 additional US Marines to counter an expected Taliban spring offensive but insisted the long-term solution is to boost Afghan forces.

The defence ministry said more international troops are needed to battle the extremist militia, which is believed to be preparing to launch a broad offensive as soon as the winter snows melt.

"At present we need foreign forces to maintain peace and security. We welcome the increase in numbers and facilities of the troops," ministry spokesman General Mohammad Zahir Azimi told AFP.

"But the long-term solution is that we need support to increase Afghan forces in quality and quantity so they can take up the responsibility for their country."

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates is considering sending about 3,000 marines to Afghanistan in anticipation of a spike in Taliban attacks once roads and mountains become passable again in spring, a Pentagon spokesman said Wednesday.

The marines would fill at least part of a 7,500-troop shortfall in Afghanistan, left after NATO countries failed to meet promises to provide men and combat equipment despite a rise in Taliban activity last year.

Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said "such that the commander needs additional forces there, our allies are not in a position to provide them, so we are now looking at perhaps carrying a bit of that additional load".

Coalition commanders have complained that they are short of three infantry battalions, 3,000 trainers and helicopters, which were promised but not delivered by NATO members.

The proposal to send marines to fill the gap goes before Gates on Friday but he is unlikely to make a final decision at that time, Morrell said in Washington.

Currently, there are 26,000 US troops in Afghanistan, most of them under the 40,000-strong NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.


- AFP/so