NATO suggests that the 'credibility' of the re-instated Afghan administration depends on Kabul submission to the alliance's military pursuits in the war-ravaged country.

NATO's Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the alliance would seek to refresh its understanding with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, AFP reported on Friday.

Under the bilateral agreement, the US-dominated body keeps, and intends to increase, its more than 100,000-strong force in the war-torn country.

Rasmussen warned, “We have to make sure that this is a strong government, a credible government…."

“First and foremost we are in Afghanistan to secure the country and take care of our own security. If we left Afghanistan behind, it would allow once again that country to be a haven for terrorists.”

The comments came as, despite the oversized military involvement, Afghanistan is grappling with the highest level of violence since the 2001 US-led invasion of the country.

The American and other foreign soldiers have killed many thousands of Afghan civilians during their clashes with the militants or attacks on mistaken Taliban hideouts.

Analysts have also raised the speculation that the presence could serve the purpose of exhausting the US arms-manufacturing potentials while ensuring access to narcotic resources.

“I always urge allies to step up their contributions,” Rasmussen concluded as the United States deliberates on a plan to assign up to 40,000 extra troops to the Afghan mission.

HN/MMN