Mexico has historically been highly averse to allowing a foreign force to fight on its soil, experts said.

CNN: The Mexico drug war: Bodies for billions

The 25 or so delegates are supposed to set up an interim administration for Afghanistan and, equally important, to decide what sort of foreign force, if any, should keep the peace and guard the distribution of humanitarian aid.

ECONOMIST: Special report

"The aim is to restructure the economy away from dependence on the foreign labour force, " says Credit Suisse's economist Mr Wan.

BBC: Singapore: Economic slowdown opens foreign labour debate