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| Version 8 | Version 9 |
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| Extra UK troops for Afghanistan | Extra UK troops for Afghanistan |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| British troop numbers in Afghanistan will increase to more than 8,000 by next spring, Defence Secretary Des Browne has told MPs. | British troop numbers in Afghanistan will increase to more than 8,000 by next spring, Defence Secretary Des Browne has told MPs. |
| He said that 630 new posts were being created, but total personnel numbers in the country would increase by 230 as 400 existing posts were being closed. | He said that 630 new posts were being created, but total personnel numbers in the country would increase by 230 as 400 existing posts were being closed. |
| They will improve protection for UK personnel, increase Afghan security training help reconstruction efforts. | |
| Mr Browne said security had improved but the Taleban had changed tactics. | |
| The announcement raises overall numbers of UK troops from 7,800 - based in Kabul, Kandahar and Helmand - to 8,030. | |
| Terrorist tactics | |
| Earlier at a joint press conference with US President George Bush, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said it took troop numbers to their "highest level" - to keep up pressure on the Taleban. | |
| Mr Browne said there had been an improved security situation, but the Taleban had switched from insurgency to terrorist tactics - including suicide bombers recruited from "vulnerable" communities. | |
| But he said, despite setbacks like the recent outbreak of Taleban fighters from a Kandahar prison: "Our view is that the Taleban are losing the fight in southern Afghanistan". | |
| 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 IranSketch: Watching Bush and Brown | |
| Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said the US, Britain, Canada, Holland and some other smaller forces were bearing the brunt of fighting in southern Afghanistan - and accused other NATO allies of being "risk averse". | |
| 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' |
| Earlier Prime Minister Gordon 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. | Earlier Prime Minister Gordon 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. |
| "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". |