WASHINGTON, May 21: US President George W. Bush and senior members of his cabinet met Nato Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer on Monday for talks that focused on surging violence in Afghanistan.

At least 1,500 people in Afghanistan are estimated to have been killed in insurgency-related violence this year.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Defence Secretary Robert Gates and senior officials from their departments arrived at Mr Bush’s ranch in Crawford, Texas, on Sunday evening for the talks.

There is growing uneasiness in Washington about the alliance's role in Afghanistan, and there are questions about the European troop contribution there.

Several European countries have contributed troops to the Nato-led International Security Force in Afghanistan but some do not allow their soldiers to participate in battles.

A rash of civilian deaths in Afghanistan, however. has caused many in Washington to demand a greater role for Nato’s troops in fighting terrorism.

Asked why Mr Bush had invited key members of his cabinet for talks with the Nato leader, White House spokesman Tony Fratto said, “The Nato mission is incredibly important to America's security interests.” Mr Fratto cited in particular the role of the 37,000 Nato troops in Afghanistan.

But think-tank experts in Washington warned that it would be difficult to persuade America’s European allies to let their troops join combat operations.

“European troops in Afghanistan have become a serious political issue with several European governments. They're always under pressure, and more so with civilian deaths increasing,” said James Mann, author in residence at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies.

Officials in Washington also confirmed that Mr Bush’s meeting with the Nato leader focused on the rising numbers of civilian casualties in Afghanistan, as well as increasing attacks by Taliban militants.