NATO's chief military adviser said on Friday he believes other countries will be able to contribute the extra troops that Canada requires to extend its mission in Afghanistan.

Gen. Ray Henault says other NATO allies with troops deployed in southern Afghanistan are following Canada's debate on the mission.
(CBC)

"I am confident that NATO nations will come to the assistance of Canada," Gen. Ray Henault, chair of NATO's military committee, said in a speech to a defence advocacy group. "We'll source the additional personnel requirements that Canada has called for in the south."

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has made Canada's continued involvement in Afghanistan conditional on NATO providing an additional 1,000 troops to bolster Canadian forces fighting in the volatile south.

Speaking to the Conference of Defence Associations in Ottawa, Henault said the southern region where Canadian troops are stationed is "inarguably the most difficult and demanding" part of the country.

Allies following Canadian debate closely

Troops from some 15 other countries are helping in that area, said Henault, and they are all keeping a close watch on Canada's debate about the mission.

Henault also doled out praise for Canadian troops, saying they are held in high regard by other forces in Afghanistan.

More than three dozen countries, both NATO and non-NATO, contribute to the coalition's International Security Assistance Force, said Henault.

The 42,000-strong force continues to grow in size, but Henault said that's largely because of the contributions of a few countries.

NATO has repeatedly urged allies to contribute extra resources and more troops, especially in the volatile southern and eastern regions of Afghanistan.

Henault also said that even though there have been publicized differences over the mission, the alliance remains committed to it.

"Our discussions in public amongst allies … or any differences of opinions, should not be confused for a lack of will or for lack of staying power in this alliance," he said.

"Afghanistan remains our number one operational priority and will remain that for some time to come."

Canada's involvement in the mission is currently set to expire in February 2009, but the government is seeking to extend the mission until 2011.

Harper said Thursday that the government will put forward a motion calling for troops to withdraw by December 2011, in line with amendments called for by the Liberal opposition.

The mission's extension is conditional on whether the extra troops are secured for the volatile Kandahar region and whether additional equipment can be provided.