BRUSSELS, March 10, SPA -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden consultedwith European allies Tuesday on the way forward inAfghanistan. The Obama administration has ordered 17,000 more U.S. troops to the country to bolster the 38,000 already there. Biden first met with NATO Secretary-General Jaap De HoopScheffer, then with the panel of ambassadors from NATO's 26member states. He will meet later Tuesday with seniorofficials at EU headquarters in Brussels, Associated Press reported. His visit _ less than a week after U.S. Secretary of StateHillary Rodham Clinton met with senior NATO and EUofficials here _ highlights the new priority thatdiplomatic outreach to allies has become for Washington.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/642890