Rumsfeld backs expanding peacekeepers

KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, during his visit to Afghanistan, said Sunday he agrees the international peacekeeping force should be expanded.

Rumsfeld, who earlier indicated he thought the peacekeeping force was sufficient, met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in the capital, the London Telegraph reported in its Monday editions.

NATO currently leads a 5,000-member force in Afghanistan. There has been growing concern over increasing lawlessness.

"I certainly agree that the expansion of ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) will be a good thing," he said after his meeting with Karzai.