WASHINGTON, Feb 29: US President George W. Bush and Nato chief Jaap de Hoop Scheffer on Friday discussed the conflict in Afghanistan and US missile shield plans ahead of the alliance’s early April summit in Romania.

The two leaders did not explicitly mention tensions inside the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation over member states’ combat troop contributions in Afghanistan amid bloody fighting with the resurgent Taliban Islamist militia.

Instead, they used a brief joint public appearance at the White House to vow a long-term involvement in the conflict, amid mounting calls for Nato partners to send more troops — and lift restrictions on those already there.

“The United States is committed to the Nato mission in Afghanistan. We’re committed to a comprehensive strategy that helps folks in Afghanistan realize security and at the same time find prosperity,” said Bush.

“All 26 Nato allies are there, and we are there for the long haul. We are there to support President (Hamid) Karzai and the Afghan people. But we’re also there because we are fighting terrorism,” said the Nato chief.

“We cannot afford to lose, we will not lose, we are not losing, we are prevailing,” he added.

—AFP