Sweden ready to extend mission in Afghanistan

Sweden's four-party coalition government said on Monday that it would like to extend the mandate of the Swedish troops in Afghanistan.

The coalition government would make this decision if it wins the parliamentary election next month, four politicians from all four government parties including Defence Minister Sten Tolgfors, said in an article published in a leading Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter.

"Sweden should participate in international crisis management efforts which carry a clear legal mandate, as an expression of Sweden's solidarity and responsibility in the world," the politicians said.

Forty-one percent of Swedes are against Sweden's troop deployment in Afghanistan, 6 percent up from February, 42 percent of respondents are in favour of sending troops to Afghanistan, 4 percent less, according to a survey published last week.

Some 500 Swedish troops are currently posted in northern Afghanistan, serving in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

Source: Xinhua