Nato to target Afghan drugs trade

Nato has agreed its troops will be allowed to attack opium factories for the first time in Afghanistan.

Alliance spokesman James Appathurai said troops will act with Afghan forces "against facilities and facilitators" using drugs to finance the Taleban.

Agreement was reached during a meeting of Nato defence ministers in Budapest.

All counter-narcotics operations have until now been carried out by Afghan forces. The US wants more aggressive tactics against the opium trade.

Nato and US-led forces have until now concentrated on eradicating poppy crops, rather than attacking opium factories and distribution networks.

Several Nato members fear that any crackdown would prompt a violent backlash against allied troops.

Mr Appathurai said participation would be "subject to the authorisation of respective nations".

He gave few further details. Nato defence ministers will review the mission in February.

Afghanistan supplies more than 90% of the world's illicit opium, the main ingredient of heroin.