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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| UK set to increase Afghan troops | UK set to increase Afghan troops |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Britain will announce extra troops for Afghanistan later - bringing numbers to their highest level yet, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said. | Britain will announce extra troops for Afghanistan later - bringing numbers to their highest level yet, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said. |
| Defence Secretary Des Browne is due to give details to MPs at 1530 BST. | Defence Secretary Des Browne is due to give details to MPs at 1530 BST. |
| The increase would bring overall UK numbers in Afghanistan to more than 8,000 - mostly based in Helmand. | The increase would bring overall UK numbers in Afghanistan to more than 8,000 - mostly based in Helmand. |
| The PM, speaking at a news conference with President George Bush, said the military presence would be increased to keep up pressure on the Taleban. | The PM, speaking at a news conference with President George Bush, said the military presence would be increased to keep up pressure on the Taleban. |
| The number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001 reached 102 last week, when five soldiers from the Parachute Regiment were killed. | The number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001 reached 102 last week, when five soldiers from the Parachute Regiment were killed. |
| 'National interest' | 'National interest' |
| Mr Brown paid tribute to their bravery. He said there would be a "reconfiguration" of troops as some left Afghanistan and others were sent there - but there would be an overall increase in numbers. | Mr Brown paid tribute to their bravery. He said there would be a "reconfiguration" of troops as some left Afghanistan and others were sent there - but there would be an overall increase in numbers. |
| He said: "We have resolved, first of all, as we did some years ago, that it is in the British national interest to confront the Taleban in Afghanistan or Afghanistan would come to us. | He said: "We have resolved, first of all, as we did some years ago, that it is in the British national interest to confront the Taleban in Afghanistan or Afghanistan would come to us. |
| If Iran continues to ignore resolutions, to ignore our offers of partnership, we have no choice but to intensify sanctions Gordon Brown Bush and Brown warn Iran href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7457174.stm">Sketch: Watching Bush and Brown | |
| "And so today Britain will announce additional troops for Afghanistan, bringing our numbers in Afghanistan to the highest level." | "And so today Britain will announce additional troops for Afghanistan, bringing our numbers in Afghanistan to the highest level." |
| It is understood that extra specialist personnel, such as engineers and logistical staff, will be sent in the next few weeks. | It is understood that extra specialist personnel, such as engineers and logistical staff, will be sent in the next few weeks. |
| But he said it was not a question of moving British troops from Iraq to Afghanistan as there was a job to do in both: "You can't trade numbers between the two countries." | But he said it was not a question of moving British troops from Iraq to Afghanistan as there was a job to do in both: "You can't trade numbers between the two countries." |
| He said President Bush was "a true friend of Britain" and thanked him for "the importance he attaches to enhancing our transatlantic partnership from the work we do in Afghanistan and Iraq to every part of the world". | He said President Bush was "a true friend of Britain" and thanked him for "the importance he attaches to enhancing our transatlantic partnership from the work we do in Afghanistan and Iraq to every part of the world". |
| And Mr Brown said their message to the Iranian people was that they did not have to choose a "path of confrontation" with the West and Britain wanted to do "everything possible" to maintain dialogue with Tehran. | And Mr Brown said their message to the Iranian people was that they did not have to choose a "path of confrontation" with the West and Britain wanted to do "everything possible" to maintain dialogue with Tehran. |
| HAVE YOUR SAYI am proud of President Bush for his integrity and courage to stand up for the right cause, despite all the opposition and loss of popularity. Ghulam, United States Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAYI am proud of President Bush for his integrity and courage to stand up for the right cause, despite all the opposition and loss of popularity. Ghulam, United States Send us your comments |
| "But we are also clear that if Iran continues to ignore resolutions, to ignore our offers of partnership, we have no choice but to intensify sanctions." | "But we are also clear that if Iran continues to ignore resolutions, to ignore our offers of partnership, we have no choice but to intensify sanctions." |
| He said Britain would urge Europe to impose "further sanctions" on Iran, including freezing the overseas assets of Iran's biggest bank and new sanctions would start on oil and gas. | He said Britain would urge Europe to impose "further sanctions" on Iran, including freezing the overseas assets of Iran's biggest bank and new sanctions would start on oil and gas. |
| At a joint news conference, following talks in Downing Street, President Bush praised Mr Brown for the "steadfastness and resolution that he has shown in rooting out terrorism in all parts of the world". | At a joint news conference, following talks in Downing Street, President Bush praised Mr Brown for the "steadfastness and resolution that he has shown in rooting out terrorism in all parts of the world". |
| Speaking about the Iraq war, he said he was "absolutely confident that the decision to remove Saddam Hussein was the right decision". | Speaking about the Iraq war, he said he was "absolutely confident that the decision to remove Saddam Hussein was the right decision". |
| The two leaders are now in Northern Ireland for meetings. |