BRUSSELS, Belgium, Jan 26, SPA - The Bush administration plans to ask Congress for $10.6 billion for Afghanistan, a major increase aimed at rebuilding the country and strengthening government security forces still fighting the Taliban five years after the U.S.-led invasion. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said all but $2 billion of the money is for security needs. She detailed the plan as she prepared to attend a NATO gathering meant to plan for an expected Taliban military offensive in the spring, the Associated Press reported. Among other issues Rice planned to raise Friday with her NATO colleagues were the divisions within the alliance on sharing the burden in Afghanistan. Some NATO countries have shown a greater willingness than others to send troops to areas of conflict. "The challenges of the last several months have demonstrated that we want to and we should redouble our efforts," Rice told reporters flying with her to Brussels for the NATO sessions. The U.S. aid package would fund training and equipment for about 70,000 new Afghan army soldiers and 82,000 national police, among other uses, a State Department official said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because President George W. Bush will make a formal budget request next month.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/420884