BUDAPEST, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- NATO defense ministers on Friday agreed that the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) can play a role in counter-narcotics in Afghanistan, but with many restrictions.

    "ISAF can act in concert with the Afghans against the facilities and facilitators supporting the insurgency, subject to the authorization of respected nations," NATO spokesman James Appathurai told reporters.

    In addition, he said, ISAF action also must be based on request of the Afghan government, be consistent with appropriate UN Security Council resolutions, and be under the current ISAF operational plan.

    Appathurai refused to give more details, but said that the defense ministers may wish to review this agreement at their next meeting.

    The NATO defense ministers, who failed to reach consensus on the narcotics issue on the first day of their discussions, were under heavy pressure on Friday from Gen. John Craddock, the alliance's top military officer, and U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

    Washington wants ISAF to take this new role as a way to stem funding for the Taliban. But some European allies reportedly feared that it may cause even more casualties of their soldiers in Afghanistan.