German MPs extend unpopular Afghan mission

Lawmakers approved on Friday a 12-month extension of Germany's unpopular Afghanistan mission, but with the proviso for the first time that troops start coming home from the end of 2011 if security allows, AFP reports.

Under the mandate approved by a crushing majority of lawmakers in the Bundestag lower house, Germany can continue to deploy a maximum of 5,350 troops until January 31, 2012. At present Germany has 4,860 soldiers there.

"The German government is confident that it will be able reduce the presence of the Bundeswehr from the end of 2011 as part of a security handover (to the Afghans)," according to the new mandate.

"It will use every opportunity that security allows for a reduction as soon as possible, provided the situation allows this and that neither our troops nor the sustainability of the handover process is put in danger."

In total, 420 MPs were in favor, 116 against and 23 abstained.

NATO member Germany is the third largest contributor of foreign troops in Afghanistan after the United States and Britain, based mostly in the relatively peaceful north.

The mission is deeply unpopular with the German public, however, surveys show, and the north has become more dangerous of late. Since the US-led invasion in 2001, 45 German troops have died there.