(Reuters) - Some countries have responded to a NATO plea for more troops for its mission in Afghanistan, but the alliance is "not entirely there yet" in raising the force it needs, its secretary-general said on Thursday.
The alliance is now involved in the biggest and deadliest ground war in its history in Afghanistan, having taken command of U.S. forces in eastern Afghanistan last month and Canadian, British and Dutch troops in the south three months ago, reports Trend.
Commanders say fighting against Taliban guerrillas has been more intense than they expected, and the fiercest in Afghanistan since the Taliban were driven from Kabul four years ago.
The British general who commands the force has urgently called for more troops, helicopters and planes to face heavy fighting with Taliban guerrillas, but Washington and London, both tied down in Iraq, have little spare capacity.
NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer told Britain's BBC radio that Poland, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Romania and Canada have all since offered additional troops, but the alliance still needs other members to do more.
"We have seen a lot of nations stepping up to the plate. But indeed we are not entirely there yet," he said.
"We are doing well. If you ask me: 'secretary-general, are you completely satisfied?', my answer is: No, I am not completely satisfied. Because we always can do better when we have more forces."
Since taking command of the south in the past few months, NATO's Afghan mission has been transformed from a small peacekeeping force of about 7,000 patrolling the comparatively quiet north into an 30,000-strong army engaged in close combat.