The Pentagon is preparing to send at least 3,000 Marines to Afghanistan in April to bolster efforts to hold off another expected Taliban offensive in the spring, military officials said Wednesday.

WASHINGTON _ With the expectation that Islamic militants are preparing to mount a major offensive this spring, President Bush on Thursday called on NATO allies to send more troops to Afghanistan and allow their soldiers to take greater responsibility for fighting the Taliban.

By Fisnik Abrashi Associated Press KABUL, Afghanistan -- NATO's top commander in Afghanistan warned on Sunday that a majority of Afghans would likely switch their allegiance to resurgent Taliban militants if their lives show no visible improvements in the next six months. Gen.