Brussels, Belgium ? NATO’s top commander renewed an appeal Friday for allies to urgently provide up to 2,500 troops for the battle with Taliban insurgents in southern Afghanistan, but officials said it likely would take two weeks before governments reply.

Gen. James L. Jones told a closed meeting of ambassadors from the 26 NATO allies that Poland’s welcome offer of 900 troops in February had not diminished the immediate need for more troops, planes and helicopters, according to officials at NATO headquarters.

Diplomats said they expected the call for more troops to be discussed at a meeting of allied foreign ministers Thursday in New York, but said decisions likely will have to wait until defense ministers gather Sept. 28-29 in Slovenia.

Canada announced Friday that it was sending tanks and about 200 more soldiers to Afghanistan, bringing its total commitment to 2,500 troops.