December 12, 2001	Wednesday	Ramazan 26, 1422

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UNITED NATIONS, Dec 11: The United Nations security council is ready to authorize Britain to lead and organize a multinational force for Afghanistan which could be placed in Kabul by Dec 22, UN officials and diplomats said here on Tuesday.

The 15-member security council plans to authorize the operation in a resolution being drawn up by US, French and British diplomats which could be adopted by Friday.

An announcement is expected in London when US secretary of state arrives there on Tuesday (today) .

Britain was favoured because it is capable of deploying its troops quickly and because of its close relationship with Washington. The British have been eager to lead such a force and they already have troops in Afghanistan.

France and Germany have also agreed to contribute troops, and forces may also come from Islamic nations like Turkey, Jordan, Bangladesh and Indonesia.

The force could number 5,000 soldiers, although details have yet to be worked out, diplomats at the United Nations said.

Troop contributors are to meet in London in the coming days to decide on how and when to deploy the force UN officials had hoped would be in place by Dec 22, when a new Afghan provisional government is to take office.

Diplomats here said that Britain was the obvious choice because it could deploy troops quickly and has had experience in leading a multinational force, such as commanding UN troops in Bosnia.

Formation of the force has been delayed because of hesitations by the US central command, which is in charge of the war in Afghanistan.

Its commander, Gen Tommy Franks, as well as the Pentagon have misgivings about a parallel operation in Afghanistan while Washington is trying to dislodge the Taliban and capture Saudi- born extremist Osama bin Laden for his suspected role in the Sept 11 attacks against the United States.

Gen Franks wants the force to report to him, the diplomats said. But Britain and others say that unless the United States contributes troops, which it is reluctant to do at this time, it cannot lead the force. Instead they have suggested a liaison and close coordination with Gen Franks.