US needs Germany in Afghanistan: Clinton

United States needs German forces in Afghanistan, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday after meeting with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

United States needs German forces in Afghanistan, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday after meeting with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

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"As President (Barack) Obama has made quite clear, we need our closest allies, like Germany, to help us ensure the success and stability of the Afghan nation at this very important moment," said Clinton.

Obama has singled out Afghanistan as his main front in the war on terrorism and plans to deploy 30,000 more US troops there over the next 18 months.

Germany last year increased to 4,500 the number of troops it has in Afghanistan, where they form part of NATO's 50,000-strong International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).