THE HAGUE (BNO NEWS) — Afghan President Karzai on Monday called Dutch Prime Minister Balkenende to show his appreciation for the work of Dutch soldiers and development workers in his country, the Dutch government said.

The call comes two days after a NATO request that asked Dutch troops to remain in Afghanistan toppled the Dutch coalition government.

Karzai applauded the Dutch efforts for economic and social development in Afghanistan’s Uruzgan province. “President Karzai contacted Prime Minister Balkenende in light of the fall of the cabinet,” a government statement read. “Prime Minister Balkenende shed light on the current political situation.”

Balkenende also conveyed his sympathies to Karzai after a NATO airstrike killed at least 27 women and children on Sunday. Dutch soldiers were not involved in the aistrike.

The political crisis in the Netherlands erupted on Wednesday when Deputy Prime Minister and Labour leader Wouter Bos said he and his party were opposed to extend the Dutch mission in Uruzgan beyond its agreed 2010 end date. The Christian Democrats and the Christian Union wanted to keep all options on the table until March 1, the deadline for the decision.