WASHINGTON: The United States has extended the stay of 2,200 marines in Afghanistan for one month until November, making their tours eight months long instead of seven, a marines spokeswoman said Thursday.

The extension had been requested by the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and was approved by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates "within the week," Captain Amy Malugani said.

The change applies to members of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, who are deployed in Helmand province along with Canadian, British and Dutch soldiers in the south where forces are fighting a resurgent Taliban.