"Undoubtedly, the Taliban would like to expand their influence," Mark Laity a civilian spokesman for the NATO force in Afghanistan said.

"But so far this year we assess that we've contained the insurgency to just about the same areas as in 2007 and 2006. They would like to expand (but) that doesn't mean they would succeed," Laity told AFP.

The statement came after the Pentagon said the rebels were likely to boost their presence in the north and south, areas where they have been relatively quiet in the past.

"The Taliban will challenge the control of the Afghan government in rural areas, especially in the south and east. The Taliban will also probably attempt to increase its presence in the west and north," the Pentagon said in its first report to Congress on security in the country.

The hardline Islamic militia, which was routed from power in Afghanistan by a US-led coalition in 2001, has regrouped since then and "coalesced into a resilient insurgency."

With 42 international soldiers killed this month -- and 109 this year -- the violence from a Taliban-led insurgency that is mainly focused in southern and eastern Afghanistan has spiked.

"There has been an increase in incidents but in broad-terms they have been happening in the same areas as before," Laity said, referring to southern and eastern Afghanistan, along the Pakistan border.

General Carlos Branco, the chief military spokesman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) also said the rebels were unlikely to expand into new areas.

"Arghandab operation proved insurgents are unable to hold ground and to face us toe to toe," the general told a press conference, referring to a recent operation by Afghan and ISAF forces against Taliban massing in villages near the southern city of Kandahar.

"They are not expanding their zone of influence," Branco added.

He said the recent increase in military activity was due to seasonal conditions, ISAF carrying out operations in areas it has not been before, and talks between the Pakistani government and the militants.

"As long as insurgents can operate safely from the other side of the border there cannot be security in Afghanistan. Freedom of insurgents to operate in Pakistan is also a threat for Pakistan," Laity told the press conference.

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