The decision allows the government to add troops to the
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.
About 500 operate there now; the government now has authority
to increase that to 855. Next year will also see more
UAVs and tactical and troop transport helicopters sent
to the theater.
The vote in parliament, which was supported by the opposition
Social Democrats and Green Alliance, gave no firm date
for the provisional withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan.
The expectation among government and opposition groups
is that this may happen in 2014.
"We will not be intimidated. Our resolve is firm.
What we are trying to achieve is to bring security and
well-functioning civilian institutions to Afghanistan.
When the U.N. calls, Sweden will come," said Fredrik
Reinfeldt, Sweden's prime minister.
