PM pledges more support for troops

Aug 29 2009

Gordon Brown has promised more support for British troops in Afghanistan as he sought to quell criticism that they are under-resourced.

On a brief visit to the war-torn country - coinciding with yet another British fatality - the Prime Minister said UK forces were in line for additional help defending themselves from roadside bombs planted by the Taliban.

That will include the deployment of additional troops specialising in countering improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and an increase in unmanned surveillance flights.

He also set out plans to train another 50,000 Afghan troops in the next year, enabling local forces to take more control of their own affairs.

His visit - conducted for security reasons under the cover of a media blackout - comes amid heightened anxieties about Britain's mission after a recent surge in the UK death toll.

As the Prime Minister was flying home from Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence announced that a Royal Marine had been killed on foot patrol in Helmand early this morning.

He was the 208th UK soldier to have died in Afghanistan since 2001. There are now 9,000 UK service personnel in the country.

The Government has been under intense pressure amid recent claims it has failed to provide commanders with enough manpower or kit, particularly helicopters. The Tories suggested the Prime Minister's comments were a "knee-jerk reaction to political pressure".

Visiting troops at Camp Bastion in Helmand province - where most of the British personnel are based - Mr Brown insisted their work was essential to security in the UK. He said: "Let me pay tribute to the courage, bravery, professionalism and patriotism of our forces.

"This has been a most difficult summer in Afghanistan, because the Taliban have tried to prevent elections taking place.I think our forces have shown extraordinary courage during this period. They know the reason why we are here and that is our security at home depends on a stable Afghanistan - no return of the Taliban, and no role for al Qaida in the running of Afghanistan."