Angela Merkel and Hamid Karzai speak of a 'new phase' in Afghanistan ahead of Thursday's security conference

A "new phase" in the international mission in Afghanistan. That's the call from German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Afghan president Hamid Karzai ahead of a security conference in London tomorrow. After talks here in Berlin, the two leaders put on a show of unity - saying their goal is a gradual transfer of responsibility from international troops to Afghan forces. But first there will be an INCREASE in foreign troop numbers - with Germany sending hundreds more soldiers to the country.