Gates "has always been gracious about Canada's role in the UN-mandated mission," said Dan Dugas, spokesman for Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay, adding however that the "minister and the government have been very clear."

Canada's Parliament "has decided that our mission there ends in 2011," he said.

During a visit to Kandahar, Gates acknowledged Thursday the role and sacrifices of Canadian forces in Afghanistan since Ottawa deployed forces in the country in 2002.

No other country partnered with the United States has "worked harder or sacrificed more than the Canadians," he said in comments, broadcast by CBC television, that have been seen as indicating the desire to see the Canadian contingent stay beyond 2011.

"They have been outstanding partners for us, and all I can tell you is ... the longer we can have Canadian soldiers as our partners, the better it is," he said.

Canada has a 2,750-strong force in southern Afghanistan.

While campaigning for the October legislative elections that his party won, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Canada did not agree to a further extension of the Canadian mission beyond 2011.

Observers expect, however, that Canada could be pressured to maintain troops in the country beyond that date due to the importance given to the Afghan mission by US president-elect Barack Obama, who will take office on January 20.

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