John Key

By Maggie Tait of NZPA

New York, Sept 23 NZPA - New Zealand troops will be out of Afghanistan in three to five years, Prime Minister John Key told the head of Nato today.

After talks with Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Mr Key told reporters that while Nato wanted to beef up its presence, "from New Zealand's point of view that's not on the table".

New Zealand's commitment is the 71 elite Special Air Service (SAS) troops and about 140 defence force personnel who are currently running a provincial reconstruction team (PRT) in Bamiyan province.

Mr Key has previously said that contribution would be gradually wound down.

"They welcomed our contribution with the SAS and thanked us for it and our long-term contribution in Bamiyan."

This week a leaked report by United States Army General Stanley McChrystal, top commander of US and Nato forces in Afghanistan, warned that without additional troops the mission "will likely result in failure".

There are already more than 100,000 foreign soldiers in Afghanistan, battling a Taliban insurgency which has taken control of many parts of the country.

Mr Key said mustering troop numbers was something for Nato and others to consider.

He told Mr Rasmussen New Zealand wanted to exit in three to five years.

"It really stabilises the situation and getting it onto an even keel where the Afghan national army is in a stronger position ... it's not just possible before then."