KABUL, March 18 (SPA) - NATO Secretary General Jaap deHoop Scheffer said on Wednesday an additional four battalions,some 4,000 troops, were needed to provide security for Afghanelections in August. There are around 70,000 foreign soldiers in Afghanistan andan additional 17,000 U.S. troops are due in the country overthe year, Reuters reported. Asked how many more troops he wanted for securing theelections, de Hoop Scheffer said: "Four battalions." A NATObattalion is around 1,000 troops. According to the Afghan constitution the presidentialelection is to be held in spring but the date was postponeduntil August due to the Afghan winter and to give foreigntroops enough time to ensure security.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/645611