Poland to Send 600 More Troops to Afghanistan

WARSAW, Poland – A Polish official says the country will likely send 600 more troops to take part in the NATO-led force in Afghanistan next year.

Government spokesman Pawel Gras said on Radio Tok FM on Wednesday that the decision still needs approval from Prime Minister Donald Tusk's cabinet and from President Lech Kaczynski, who is the supreme commander of the army.

Kaczynski has spoken in favor of increasing Poland's current force of 2,000 troops, who serve in the NATO mission in Afghanistan. This is the first time an official has mentioned a specific number.

President Barack Obama on Tuesday asked Tusk to contribute additional troops to the military effort in Afghanistan as part of a renewed strategy that includes 30,000 more U.S. troops.