The mission in Afghanistan does not have a fixed end date, says a top NATO official, who says the goal is for Afghans to take over their own security.

"We have a requirement to ultimately help the Afghans develop those security forces and security mechanisms that will allow them to take those matters into their own hands," Canadian Gen. Ray Henault, chair of NATO's military committee, told a news conference in Ottawa on Thursday.

"There isn't a date you can set on that. It's an 'end state.'"

Henault acknowledged that Canada is only committed to its present mission in Kandahar province until February 2009.

The fate of that mission is the source of significant political controversy. Even the government is hinting that the current mission, involving about 2,500 troops, won't continue in its current configuration.

"A lot of things happen in 18 months," Henault said. "We're certainly hopeful Canada will find a way to continue to operate in Afghanistan."

The general also noted that the Netherlands are also engaging in debate about whether to maintain a combat presence in Afghanistan. Dutch troops currently operate in Uruzgan province, immediately north of Kandahar province.

"The Dutch have been marvellous ... they have done some great work," he said.

About 1,500 Dutch troops are operating in Afghanistan. That country's mission will end in August 2008 if the Dutch Parliament doesn't vote in favour of an extension.

NATO does have a planning process that's looking at how missions can be maintained using member countries' troops, he said.

NATO military chiefs are meeting in Ottawa today. They will be holding a conference in Victoria, B.C., to discuss future strategy.

The chiefs of defence from all 26 NATO countries meet three times a year -- twice in Brussels and once in a host nation.

Gen. Rick Hillier, Canada's chief of defence staff, is the official host of the conference.

The delegates, who number more than 100, are meeting to help develop a long-term, strategic perspective on alliance operations and capabilities.

The strategy sessions are important to help build consensus on what advice to provide NATO's civilian decision-making body -- the North Atlantic Council (NAC).

The Military Committee must provide consensus-based advice to NAC before any NATO military action or activities are approved.

Meanwhile, protesters opposed to NATO are planning demonstrations throughout the weekend, timed to coincide with the summit in Victoria.

Joan Russow, of the Global Compliance Research Project, told The Canadian Press that she's urging protesters to condemn NATO for its "destruction of the planet (and) ongoing violations of international laws.''

A mass rally is planned for noon on Saturday at the B.C. legislature.