LISBON, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Portugal decided on Thursday to further strengthen its military presence in Afghanistan by sending about 150 more troops to the country in 2010.

    The Portuguese military also said in a statement that it will soon send a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft and about 40 troops to Afghanistan in a three-month mission to beef up security for the country's presidential elections.

    Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates said in April during a NATO summit in France that his country would strengthen its military presence in Afghanistan along with other NATO member states.

    The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force is composed of more than 60,000 troops from 42 nations.