During a meeting in Brussels on Thursday NATO's defense ministers agreed to send more troops to help the Afghan government fight the Taliban.

Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg held a news conference after the meeting and briefed the media on the key points of discussion. 

He said  said the three key areas are special operations forces, air operations and improved leadership for military command and control.

But he cautioned that while the Afghan forces have proved to be professional and determined, "we don't think the situation in Afghanistan is going to be easy, we don't think it's going to be peaceful and no conflicts and no violence there this year, or next year or in the near future."

Fifteen countries have said they would contribute more troops and equipment to the training mission for 2018.