51.   Turkey has also said it was willing to participate in the multinational security force in Afghanistan.

52.   While the United Nations had initially insisted on the rapid deployment of the multinational security force, Brahimi tried to diminish the importance of any delay.

53.   Musharraf said the British-led multinational security force should stay beyond its six-month mandate which ends in June.

54.   On Thursday, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder gave his backing for the extension of the time limit on the multinational security force patrolling Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.

55.   Schroeder reiterated Monday that Germany would participate in a multinational security force in Afghanistan if asked and if the mission is given a clear UN mandate.

56.   The multinational security force for Afghanistan is confined to Kabul and its environs and its powers are strictly limited, under an agreement signed with the Afghan interim administration.

57.   The meetings are expected to focus on a proposal for Turkey to assume command of the multinational security force in Afghanistan.