GENEVA <197> Donor countries pledged enough funds on Friday to start forming an Afghan national army and police force, seen as vital to bringing stability after years of war.

Although no financial details emerged from the one-day talks in the United Nations European headquarters, UN special representative for Afghanistan Lakhdar Brahimi said enough had been committed for w

Afghan Coordinator David Johnson.

Some 35 donor countries took part in the meeting which aimed to harden up offers of support for proposals on security questions presented by the interim Afghan government at an initial gathering in Ge

Security was not included when donors at a January conference in Tokyo promised $4.5 billion to help rebuild Afghanistan, which has been ravaged by 23 years of civil war.

Both Afghan and international officials are adamant reconstruction will be impossible without a national security force to impose order in a country where local warlords still wield great power.

Earlier, Afghan officials had put the annual requirement for setting up and running the army and police at some $300 million but Brahimi said the combined need would be nearer $400 million, although i

He calculated the first year requirement for setting up a national army at below $300 million, including salaries and infrastructure, while the police would cost around $100 million.

Demobilizing members of armed groups would cost some $70 million but there was no figure yet for the anti-drug campaign.

Diplomats said that Washington was ready to provide some $70 million in training and salaries for the army but this was subject to congressional approval. Britain had put some 50 million on the table,

The plans call for the United States to take the lead in organizing the army, while Germany will take responsibility for the police force.

The anti-drug effort will be co-ordinated by Britain while Italy will help in the creation of a judicial system, officials said.