From the Financial Times: The German government secured broad parliamentary backing to raise its contingent of troops in Afghanistan from 4,500 to up to 5,350, although the traditional cross-party consensus about the mission looked increasingly shaky.

Lawmakers from the ruling Christian Democrats and Free Democrats were joined by most opposition Social Democrats. A total of 429 parliamentarians voted in favour – with 111 against and 46 abstentions…

Guido Westerwelle, foreign minister, called Friday’s vote “a victory for responsibility and rationality”, and said it would usher in a “new chapter” in German foreign policy – one now intent on better training Afghan soldiers and police.  (photo: AP)