DHAKA, Sept 26: The United States has urged Bangladesh to send combat troops to Afghanistan to help the multinational effort bring stability to the war-torn country, Dhaka's foreign ministry said on Sunday.

The request was made during meetings in New York between Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and the United States Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke.

Mr Holbrooke said the US needed the “help of friends like Bangladesh” to ensure security in Afghanistan, according to a government statement released in Dhaka.

“He sought for any kind of help like deploying combat troops, providing economic and development assistance or giving training among the law enforcement agencies,” it said.

Ms Moni said the government would consider the request. Bangladesh is a major contributor to United Nations peacekeeping missions around the world, but has no troops in Afghanistan.—AFP