Australia intends to accelerate withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan

Defense Minister John Faulkner, testifying before a Senate committee before flying to Slovakia for a NATO summit on Afghanistan, said he had no plans to draw down Australia's troop strength there. Australia has about 1,550 troops in Afghanistan - the largest contribution of any country outside NATO.

Faulkner said Australian troops were focused on training an Afghan National Army brigade in Uruzgan province "so they can take the responsibility for security in the province," Faulkner said. "That objective, that focus, won't change."

Faulkner said he was discussing with his military chiefs options for accelerating the training process.

"I don't want to see Australian troops in Afghanistan a day longer than is necessary," Faulkner said.