Free Republic

MADRID, July 1 (Reuters) - Spain plans to roughly double its peacekeeping forces in Afghanistan to a maximum of 1,040 troops, subject to parliamentary approval, Defence Minister Jose Bono said on Thursday. Spain, which withdrew its forces from the international coalition in Iraq earlier this year after the Socialists won power, would send up to 893 fresh troops and bring home 328 of those already posted in Afghanistan, Bono said. Spain's parliament is due to vote next week on the proposal, which would have a total cost of 54 million euros ($65.76 million). Bono said the troop figures were final...