Germany had wanted NATO's new "strategic concept" to commit the allies to a Europe free of nuclear weapons, while its neighbour France remains wedded to its independent deterrent as the bedrock of its security.

But diplomatic sources at the summit said they had agreed a "neutral" form of words that satisfies both, by expressing hope for future disarmament while insisting that NATO would keep nuclear weapons as long as others do.

"An accord has been reached between France and Germany on the points under discussion," a French official said, speaking on condition of anonymity while the 28 NATO leaders met in closed-door session.

The summit will see the allies agree to set up a continent-wide missile defence shield but, while some in Germany would like to see this replace deterrence, France believes nuclear weapons must remain as a last resort.

earlier related report
Obama promises renewed NATO at summit
Lisbon (AFP) Nov 19, 2010 - US President Barack Obama flew into Lisbon on Friday for a summit with NATO leaders to agree to start bringing troops home from the Afghan war and to erect a European missile defence shield.

"Now we've come to Lisbon again to revitalise the NATO alliance for the 21st century and to strenghthen the partnership between the United States and the European Union," Obama told reporters, in brief remarks.

"I look forward to working with our NATO and our ISAF partners as we move towards a new phase, transition to Afghan responsibility which begins in 2011, with Afghan forces taking the lead of security across Afghanistan by 2014.

"So this summit is an important opportunity for us to align on approach and vision in Afghanistan," he said, at a joint appearance with the summit's host Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva, while leaders gathered.

Obama was to be joined by fellow leaders of the 28-member Atlantic Alliance, as well as Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev and Afghanistan's Hamid Karzai, for two days of talks in the Portuguese capital.

For the talks with Karzai, the NATO leaders will be joined by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and by fellow heads of the state from 20 more allied powers in the NATO-led ISAF military force in Afghanistan.

On Saturday, he will also attend a separate summit with the leaders of the European Union.

He also plans to invite Russia to take part in the planned missile shield, overcoming the Kremlin's objections to previous plans that Russia felt were designed to undermine its nuclear deterrent.

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