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| Brown in tribute to dead marines | Brown in tribute to dead marines |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Gordon Brown has paid tribute to the four Royal Marines who were killed in separate explosions in Afghanistan while on a visit to the country. | Gordon Brown has paid tribute to the four Royal Marines who were killed in separate explosions in Afghanistan while on a visit to the country. |
| He said the men "died in the front line of terror" and "would never be forgotten" for what they had achieved on behalf of Britain. | He said the men "died in the front line of terror" and "would never be forgotten" for what they had achieved on behalf of Britain. |
| He told troops based in Helmand province that "we are safer in Britain" because of the work they do there. | He told troops based in Helmand province that "we are safer in Britain" because of the work they do there. |
| After his visit, he travelled to Kabul for talks with President Hamid Karzai. | After his visit, he travelled to Kabul for talks with President Hamid Karzai. |
| On Friday, a Royal Marine from Arbroath-based 45 Commando was injured in an explosion in the Sangin area of Helmand province and died on the way to hospital at Camp Bastion. | |
| In a separate incident, two marines from 45 Commando and one from Commando Logistics Regiment died in a second blast south of Sangin. | In a separate incident, two marines from 45 Commando and one from Commando Logistics Regiment died in a second blast south of Sangin. |
| This brings the total number of British military personnel who have lost their lives in Afghanistan since the start of the operations in 2001 to 132. | This brings the total number of British military personnel who have lost their lives in Afghanistan since the start of the operations in 2001 to 132. |
| Speaking to forces at Camp Bastion, the main British military base in Afghanistan, the prime minister said: "We are safer in Britain, the people of Britain are safer, because of what you do here. | Speaking to forces at Camp Bastion, the main British military base in Afghanistan, the prime minister said: "We are safer in Britain, the people of Britain are safer, because of what you do here. |
| "Checking the Taliban, operating as the front line against them, making sure that they cannot make advances, holding them in, and holding al-Qaeda in as well." | "Checking the Taliban, operating as the front line against them, making sure that they cannot make advances, holding them in, and holding al-Qaeda in as well." |
| First Minister Alex Salmond said the deaths of the Royal Marines will be keenly felt in Arbroath, with 45 Commando suffering their biggest single loss in recent years. | |
| He said: "This is a dreadful tragedy, and our heartfelt condolences go to the families and friends of the men who have lost their lives. | |
| "Our armed forces conduct themselves with the utmost professionalism and courage, often in the most difficult of circumstances, and that is something we should all remember, especially at this time of year when so many servicemen and women are so far from home." |