Australia plans to extend Afghan effort

CANBERRA, Australia, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Australia plans to extend the deployment of its troops in Afghanistan into 2010, it was reported.

Most of the Australian forces are in a Dutch-led mission, and the government of the Netherlands has tied its deployment to the Australian one, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. A Dutch government report said Australia has decided to double the length of time its troops will remain from two years to four.

While former Prime Minister John Howard and the new Labor one, Ken Rudd, disagree on Iraq, both agree on the Australian deployment in Afghanistan. Australia sent 385 soldiers to be involved in reconstruction and 300 special forces troops.

A spokeswoman for Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbons said the government has not yet made a formal decision on Afghanistan.

"Labor has indicated for some time that we would consider further reasonable requests for military assistance in Afghanistan," she said.