NATO fails in Afghan troop bid

NATO yesterday failed to win new troop commitments urgently needed for its Afghanistan campaign, but said a 10-day offensive to dislodge Taliban fighters was achieving its goals despite the shortage of troops.

“No formal offers were made at the table,” NATO spokesman James Appathurai said after an emergency NATO gathering aimed at finding contributions for an expanded force.

But he told a news conference some allies had given “positive indications” on the reinforcements, but suggested final decisions may have to wait until a September 28 meeting of NATO defence ministers.