Miliband to detail Afghan strategy

Jul 27 2009

Foreign Secretary David Miliband is set to outline the Allied strategy for winning the war in Afghanistan.

Mr Miliband will make a speech called Afghanistan - the road to the future, to members of Nato in Brussels.

He is expected to speak about the importance of supporting the Afghan government and the military campaign after a month which has become the deadliest for the UK and Nato since operations began in 2001.

His speech will come as the Ministry of Defence names the latest soldier to die in the country, who was killed while on a vehicle patrol in Lashkar Gah District, central Helmand province, on Saturday morning.

He was from the 40th Regiment Royal Artillery, and was the 20th British serviceman to die in Afghanistan this month.

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "He was one soldier who was here for one cause, to help the Afghan people.

"This true hero paid the ultimate sacrifice and his memory will live with us forever. We mourn his loss and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this very sad time."

Since the start of operations in 2001, 189 British service personnel have died and the head of the armed forces last week warned that British troops in Afghanistan face more tough fighting - and more casualties - in the weeks ahead.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, the Chief of the Defence Staff, said soldiers taking part in the Operation Panther's Claw offensive had faced an "enormous battle" to break through the Taliban defences.