**Four Nato soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan, the coalition has said.**The troops died in improvised roadside bomb attacks blamed on insurgents, officials said, but did not give further details.
The deaths come at a bloody time for international forces in Afghanistan, with 15 UK soldiers killed in 10 days.
US President Barack Obama has praised the ongoing military effort, saying Taliban rebels are being pushed back as Afghanistan prepares for elections.
US Marines and British troops recently launched a major new offensives against the Taliban in southern regions of Afghanistan.
Casualty figures have spiked in the past few weeks as insurgents have mounted new attacks and military action has increased in intensity.
Reuters news agency reported that a fifth Nato soldier died on Friday from wounds received in June.
In the UK, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been forced to defend the country’s involvement in the Afghan mission as the numbers of British casualties rises.
Speaking in a Sky TV interview, Mr Obama said the battle in Afghanistan is a “serious fight” but one essential for the future stability of the country.
He said new strategies for building bridges with Afghan society would be considered once the country had held its presidential election.
The country is due to hold a presidential vote in August.