Obama brings Afghan plan to Nato allies

Strasbourg, France: President Barack Obama won enthusiastic support for his new Afghan war strategy on Friday from French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who pledged more police trainers and civilian aid.

Nato leaders have been reluctant to commit significant new military forces to the deadlocked conflict despite Obama's plan to add 21,000 US troops to the force of 38,000 fighting the rising insurgency.

Europeans have been more enthusiastic about increasing humanitarian and development aid than adding soldiers.

"We totally endorse and support America's new strategy in Afghanistan," Sarkozy told a joint news conference after talks with Obama. France will contribute to the new US approach with development assistance and more training for police, Sarkozy said.

Nato's ability to succeed in Afghanistan will be seen as a crucial test of the alliance's power and relevance.

Sarkozy's backing is vitally important for Obama, who will formally present his new strategy to the heads of government of Nato's 28 member states at a dinner on Friday in the German resort town of Baden-Baden.

Obama told an audience of Europeans across the border in Strasbourg, France that he understands the doubts about the Afghan war in the US and Europe.

But terrorists along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border are plotting their next attack, Obama said, and such an attack is just as likely to target a European city.

Spain said ahead of the meeting that it will increase the number of soldiers it has in Afghanistan with a small contingent to help train Afghan army officers. Spain has 778 troops as part of the 55,000-strong Nato presence.

Belgium said it will add some 65 soldiers to the force of 500 it already has in Afghanistan, and will send two more F-16 jet fighters, bringing the total number it has sent to six.