COMPLETE COVERAGE | FRONT LINES | AMERICA AT HOME | INTERACTIVES »

Afghan peace mission delayed

LONDON, England (CNN) -- The British-led multinational peacekeeping force planned for Afghanistan will not be operational until mid-January, UK defence officials have revealed.

UK Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon told parliament on Wednesday that Britain would contribute 1,500 to the force, which would have a total strength of between 3,000 and 5,000.

Britain would lead the force for around three months, before handing over control to one of its partners, he said.

The UK's Gen. John McColl, who will lead the force, will be in Kabul on Saturday with his British headquarters staff and a small number of Royal Marine commandos already in the region.

However, defence sources said that their presence would be "largely symbolic."

Officials admitted that the deployment of troops on the ground would depend on agreement with the new interim administration which assumes power on Saturday.

CNN.COM SPECIAL REPORT  CNN NewsPass Video  Agencies reportedly got hijack tips in 1998  MORE STORIES Intelligence intercept led to Buffalo suspects Report cites warnings before 9/11  EXTRA INFORMATION Timeline: Who Knew What and When? Interactive: Terror Investigation Terror Warnings System Most wanted terrorists What looks suspicious? In-Depth: America Remembers In-Depth: Terror on Tape In-Depth: How prepared is your city?  RESOURCES On the Scene: Barbara Starr: Al Qaeda hunt expands? On the Scene: Peter Bergen: Getting al Qaeda to talk MORE STORIES Disputes delay peacekeepers

The exact size and composition of the ISAF will not be decided until the "military technical agreement" (MTA) with the interim administration led by Hamid Karzai is signed.

Hoon told parliament that, given the need to conclude a military agreement with the Afghans, the main body of the force would not begin to deploy before December 28.

He said the British force would be properly equipped and have "robust rules of engagement."

Other nations participating which have agreed to be identified so far are France, Germany, Spain, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Turkey, Jordan, Malaysia, the Czech Republic and the United States.

Gen. McColl, who led a reconnaissance team to Kabul, has expressed confidence that the MTA can be in place within a matter of days once the new administration has assumes power on Saturday.

However, officials made clear that failure to get agreement on the MTA would be a "red card" for the whole operation.

They acknowledged that the "fragility of local consent" for the ISAF was a key consideration in the military planning.

Once the agreement is in place it is expected that there will be a gradual build up of the force which should be operational sometime "well into January".

UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has written to U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan detailing the arrangements.

Hoon told parliament it was anticipated that a U.N. Security Council resolution to authorise the deployment under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter would be agreed within the next few days.

Talks were taking place in London on Wednesday between the 17 nations that have offered troops, to clarify the numbers and shape of the force.

Afghan leaders have gradually increased the number of international troops it is willing to see help in the stabilisation of Afghanistan during the post-Taliban period.

Initially they had said only 1,000 could be stationed, which was later increased to 2,500 and finally 3,000. It is also believed the numbers could increase to 6,000.

"I think a reasonable number has been discussed which we are satisfied with and of course it will be more specific when we have the resolution," said Northern Alliance Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah -- who will also serve in the same capacity in the interim government.

They will be assigned to secure the nation's roads, and to help protect the interim government.

The stabilisation force will be deployed in five major cities -- Kabul, Kandahar, Jalalabad, Mazar-e Sharif and Herat.