Gates wants to double Afghan military size

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Defence Secretary Robert Gates backs a 20-billion-dollar plan to double the Afghan army and reshape Nato and US missions to better confront the resurgent Taliban, US media reported Friday.

The plan, initially announced by the Afghan government, would boost the size of the Afghan force to 120,000 over five years through additional training and equipment and recruitment, the New York Times said.

Quoting unnamed Pentagon and military officials, the report said a Defence Department order to be signed in late August will also give US army General David McKiernan, who currently heads the 45,000 strong Nato force, command of the 19,000 US forces there as well.