Canada ? The United States is pressing its allies to contribute additional forces, equipment and other resources in Afghanistan for a NATO-led spring offensive against the Taliban.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates planned to meet with a number of military leaders late Wednesday and today in Quebec. He was not expected to offer any additional U.S. troops, according to a senior U.S. defense official.

About a half-dozen defense ministers from countries working together in the volatile southern sector of Afghanistan will discuss how to “fill those last critical pieces that are needed,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the meetings had yet to take place.

Gates intended to meet with military leaders from Britain, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Denmark and Romania.

Australia announced this week that it plans to nearly double its forces in Afghanistan, adding 400 troops by midyear to its contingent of 550 serving there, and then adding 50 more by the middle of 2008.