At least 11 people were killed and five Norwegian soldiers with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) were injured in riots ignited by the publication in European newspapers of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed.
"There is full commitment to take forward ISAF expansion into the southern provinces this summer," NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said after talks with alliance defence ministers.
"That commitment will not waiver."
But the wave of violence has created new complications for the
10,000-member NATO-led force as it prepares to extend its operations into southern Afghanistan, a restive former Taliban stronghold.
A Taliban commander offered a bounty of gold for anyone who kills a Danish, German or Norwegian soldier.
Denmark, where the cartoons were first published and which has been the focus of much Muslim anger, and Norway were among the most determined to stay the course.
"The slightest hesitation of ISAF to deploy its troops to the south will mean victory for the Taliban," said Danish Defence Minister Soren Gad, according to the notes of a NATO official at the talks.
The ministers, holding two days of informal talks in Taormina, Italy, lauded ISAF for showing calm under pressure, with particular praise going to the provincial reconstruction team (PRT) in the northern city of Maymana.
"The ministers applauded the extreme professionalism and restraint by Norwegian and Finnish troops" operating the PRT, de
Hoop Scheffer said, but he conceded that the violence had forced a security review.
"It is an argument for NATO to look at our force posture and our force protection, not only that PRT but also elsewhere as well."
US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld brushed off questions about the impact of the cartoon affair on efforts to stabilise Afghanistan as he flew in from Washington to this seaside resort in Sicily.
ISAF's move south, aimed at extending the reach of Afghanistan's weak central government, was top item on the agenda of the meeting, which was held under a blanket of security.
The Netherlands, Australia, Britain and Canada are contributing troops for the expanded mission which will take ISAF from about 10,000 troops to about 18,000. Denmark and Norway are also expected to deploy a small contingent.
The United States commands a separate force of about 18,000 troops, which will shrink to about 4,000 troops.