Seventy-six percent of those who concluded that Afghans want NATO out also believe the alliance should comply by leaving. Of those who think the Afghans want NATO to stay, 83 percent said they should do so.

Overall, only 37 percent of those polled think the NATO mission should continue, while 50 percent believe NATO should depart immediately. Despite the opposition to NATO's presence, most of the countries - 18 of the 20 - believe it would be dangerous if the Taliban regained power.

In Pakistan, where the Taliban take refuge along the border to avoid NATO forces, 61 percent oppose the return of the Taliban to power.

The poll also showed that most Muslim countries dislike NATO's role in Afghanistan, particularly in Pakistan, where 86 percent want NATO out of their neighbouring country. Sixty-seven percent of Egyptian and 74 percent of Palestinian respondents held that view. Similar sentiment was expressed in Russia, Germany and Mexico.

In all countries where more people believe the Afghans supported the NATO mission, the poll found that most support the US troop increase ordered by President Barack Obama this year to step up the fight against a resurgent Taliban.

Countries where a majority feel that the Afghan people want NATO to stay include India, Kenya, Nigeria and the US. In the largely Muslim Azerbaijan, 44 percent think the Afghans want NATO to stay, with 36 percent disagreeing.