US challenges NATO allies to boost help

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told NATO allies on Friday they must do more in Afghanistan, pledging extra US troops and aid to try to see off the Taliban.

But US frustration at what Washington sees as a lack of commitment by European partners was unlikely to be assuaged immediately. The European Commission announced a fall in its future aid on Friday and some allies reacted defensively to suggestions they were not doing enough.

The Pentagon announced on Thursday it was extending the tours of 3,200 troops in Afghanistan by up to 120 days. Given other troop movements, the move means that in the next few months it will have 2,500 more soldiers there than planned.