Sweden will send more soldiers to reinforce its troops in Afghanistan, a senior defense official said Saturday.

The Swedish military force in the war-torn Afghanistan is expected to be increased from 350 soldiers to 500 within a year, said Lieutenant General Anders Lindstroem, who is currently inspecting the Swedish garrison in Afghanistan.

The Swedish government has not yet approved the reinforcements, but Lindstroem is counting on them doing so, the Swedish public broadcaster Sveriges Radio (SR) reported.

Lindstroem hoped that the Swedish forces would stay in Afghanistan for a period of five to 15 years as some European countries usually stationed their troops in the Balkan region for 10-15 years.

Source:Xinhua