1- Exterior of prime ministry building, flags waving

NATO chief Jaap de Hoop Scheffer held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Thursday to talk about the subject of sending troops to southern Afghanistan.

2- Shots of military marching, details

The German parliament is to vote this month on whether to keep the 3,000-strong German force in Afghanistan where it serves mainly in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

While the commitment is widely expected to be maintained, Germany continues to refuse to send troops to southern Afghanistan where casualties in the fight against the resurgent Taliban are highest.

3- Arrival of Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, being welcomed, posing cameras with Merkel

Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday pledged Germany's full support for peacekeeping in Afghanistan despite increasing opposition from German voters to the mission.

4- Exterior of presidency building

An opinion poll published by Stern magazine on Wednesday showed 52 percent of respondents in favour of withdrawing all German forces.

Just 43 percent were in favour of them staying, compared with 60 percent two years ago.