Prime Minister Tony Blair has visited British troops at Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan on a flying visit to the country.
Prime Minister Tony Blair has told British troops in southern Afghanistan they are fighting for the future of the world's security.
Mr Blair met some of the 6,000-strong British force who have been serving in Afghanistan since the US-led invasion five years ago.
He thanked about 800 British servicemen and women at Camp Bastion in Helmand province for the job they were doing.
The prime minister met dozens of troops who had been involved in heavy fighting in recent months.
"Here in this extraordinary piece of desert is where the future of world security in the early 21st Century is going to be played out," he said.
"Thank you for the job you are doing here," Mr Blair told them.
The troops are among a 6,000-strong British force fighting the Taleban.
'Fundamental importance'
Mr Blair spoke of the pride and respect the country had for the work they were doing.
On Sunday in Pakistan Mr Blair said he was standing by the government of Afghan leader President Hamid Karzai.
'Difficult work'
"Nobody should be in any doubt at all about our commitment to Afghanistan."
"We know the only way to secure peace sometimes is to be prepared to fight for it," he said.
Mr Blair added: "We believe it is of fundamental importance to our own security to stick with it and see the job through."
"You're the people that are doing the difficult work. And, you should know not just you're appreciated, but the importance of the work you do is appreciated as well."
The prime minister has not visited British troops in the country since soon after the invasion in 2002.
Sgt Chris Hunter, 31, from Swansea, told the prime minister: "The lads, we all want to be here.
The UK forces in the central Asian country include about 4,500 soldiers serving in the southern Helmand province, where troops have been involved in the fiercest fighting involving British troops since the Korean War.
"It is a point that is often missed back at home that the lads are proud to be here and proud to be doing our job."
Following the 90-minute visit, Mr Blair flew onto the capital Kabul where he will meet President Hamid Karzai and General David Richards, the British officer commanding the Nato force.
Restoring order
The prime minister has not visited British troops in the country since soon after the US-led invasion in 2002.
Troops have been involved in the fiercest fighting involving British troops since the Korean War.
So far this year, 38 British troops have been killed in fighting in Afghanistan.
So far this year, 38 British troops have been killed in fighting in Afghanistan.
More than 6,000 British personnel are in Afghanistan
On Sunday, Mr Blair was in Pakistan where he and President Pervez Musharraf agreed to strengthen their ties to fight terrorism.
On Sunday, the UK and Pakistan agreed to strengthen their ties to fight terrorism, following talks between the countries' two leaders in Lahore.
They agreed restoring order in Afghanistan was crucial, and the prime minister praised Pakistan's co-operation. The president said his country was doing all it could to help.
Mr Blair and President Pervez Musharraf agreed restoring order in Afghanistan was crucial.
The prime minister praised Pakistan's co-operation. The president said his country was doing all it could to help.
But he added that defeating the Taleban in Afghanistan could not be done by force alone and said a "broader strategy" was needed.
'Marshall Plan' call
He urged a "massive inflow" of development aid to rebuild the south-east of the country - the centre of the Taleban insurgency.
He likened the effort needed to the US Marshall Plan to reconstruct Europe after World War II.
Mr Blair pledged a commitment to battling the Taleban, saying: "Nobody should be in any doubt at all about our commitment to Afghanistan."
It was of "fundamental importance" to global security "to stick with it and see the job through," he said.
Mr Blair's official spokesman later said Britain had always pursued security alongside reconstruction in Afghanistan, and the problem was not funds but getting security and infrastructures in place.
Pakistan's co-operation in cracking down on cross-border infiltration by Taleban militants is seen as critically important for the success of US and Nato military operations in Afghanistan.
Gen Musharraf said: "The Taleban problem is an Afghan problem. It is in the south-eastern region of Afghanistan, being supported by elements from this side," he said.
"We need to put our house in order here on our side and make sure that this support is cut off. But the main battle is in Afghanistan."
The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson, who is travelling with Mr Blair, said: "The prime minister has heard warnings here in Pakistan that the war in Afghanistan will not be won simply through military means.
"Nato's own commander says the next few months will be vital.
"With questions growing about the war in Iraq, he can ill afford to have another war described as pretty much a disaster."
