Britain will today to convene a conference of coalition governments tasked with putting the finishing touches to plans for a stabilisation force in Afghanistan.

The event, which will be held in London, will bring together defence chiefs from allied nations including France, Germany, Jordan and Turkey.

Downing Street said those present will represent a "coalition of the willing".

The meeting, to be chaired by the UK's deputy chief of the defence staff, Lieutenant General Tony Piggott, will focus on the logistics of sending troops into Afghanistan.

Tony Blair announced the move to his colleagues during a meeting of the war cabinet held on Thursday.

He reconfirmed that Britain is willing to lead the operation. "This is a tough but necessary role but we have to get the details right before any decision is taken," said the prime minister.

It is thought that the Ministry of Defence will put the finishing touches to plans for the force over the next 48 hours.

A spokesman said a "scoping exercise" would take place in Kabul over the weekend.

Up to 12 British troops will go in on the ground to assess the exact nature of the force required, Downing Street announced.