The Conservative government intends to keep some Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan beyond Parliament's 2011 end-date for the mission, CBC News has learned.

The admission follows weeks of confusion and speculation about a future role for Canadian troops in the war-torn country.

Dimitri Soudas, a spokesman for the Prime Minister's Office, told CBC News there will be Canadian troops in Afghanistan after parliament's mandate expires, though "exponentially fewer."

"I would caution you against saying dozens or hundreds or a thousand, there will be exponentially fewer," Soudas said.

More...

Nice to know Canada's involvement is perpetual. Not entirely surprised by this, but doesn't make this revelation any less stupid.

Let me guess, Winter of 2010 or Summer of 2011, there'll be a huge debate over why we are, once again, extending the mission to something like 2015. Then when 2014 rolls around, lather, rinse, repeat.