Nato promises to fill Afghan gap

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Nato's secretary-general, said on the 23 February 2010 that he had no regrets about making the request for troops that preceded the Dutch government's collapse earlier in the month, adding that the Dutch military should remain in Afghanistan.

While declining to specify which nation would fill the gap left by the Dutch, Mr Rasmussen said: 'I can assure you that whatever happens there will be no vacuum. Possible shortfalls will be filled by Nato'.