The Spanish government on Friday announced it will extend its military contingent in Afghanistan by sending 220 more soldiers to reinforce the security of the troops.

Spain's Vice Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega said this decision was aimed at recovering democracy, improving security and rebuilding Afghanistan.

The 220 servicemen will join the 778 Spaniard soldiers who already are deployed in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, other 70 soldiers will soon join the group to assure the security in Kabul's airport for seven months, while 450 soldiers from the electoral battalion will return to Spain when the election ends.

The presence of the Spanish armed forces in Afghanistan is framed by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and resolutions of the UN Security Council.

(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2009)