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| Brown in tribute to dead marines | Brown in tribute to dead marines |
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| 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. |
| Three died south of Sangin in a suicide attack involving a boy, 13, with an explosives-laden wheelbarrow. | Three died south of Sangin in a suicide attack involving a boy, 13, with an explosives-laden wheelbarrow. |
| Despite the tragedies, the UK prime minister hinted at plans to boost the number of UK troops in the country. | Despite the tragedies, the UK prime minister hinted at plans to boost the number of UK troops in the country. |
| He also pledged $10m (£6.7m) to make sure the elections scheduled for next year are "free and fair". | He also pledged $10m (£6.7m) to make sure the elections scheduled for next year are "free and fair". |
| On an unannounced visit to Afghanistan, he met with forces at Camp Bastion, the main British military base in Afghanistan, many of whom had known the marines who were killed on Friday. | On an unannounced visit to Afghanistan, he met with forces at Camp Bastion, the main British military base in Afghanistan, many of whom had known the marines who were killed on Friday. |
| One from Arbroath-based 45 Commando was injured in an explosion in the Sangin area of Helmand province died on the way to hospital at Camp Bastion. | One from Arbroath-based 45 Commando was injured in an explosion in the Sangin area of Helmand province died on the way to hospital at Camp Bastion. |
| In a separate incident, also in Sangin, two marines from 45 Commando and one from Commando Logistics Regiment died when a 13-year-old boy pushing a wheelbarrow towards them blew himself up. | In a separate incident, also in Sangin, two marines from 45 Commando and one from Commando Logistics Regiment died when a 13-year-old boy pushing a wheelbarrow towards them blew himself up. |
| Gordon Brown and Hamid Karzai on ''burden-sharing'' with other countries in the coalition | Gordon Brown and Hamid Karzai on ''burden-sharing'' with other countries in the coalition |
| 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. |
| Since November alone, 11 British soldiers have been killed in roadside explosions or suicide bombs in the most dangerous southern part of the country as the Taliban shift tactics from close combat to more sophisticated guerilla-style attacks. | Since November alone, 11 British soldiers have been killed in roadside explosions or suicide bombs in the most dangerous southern part of the country as the Taliban shift tactics from close combat to more sophisticated guerilla-style attacks. |
| The PM spoke of his disgust at the Taliban for using a young boy as a suicide bomber, which he said would "offend public opinion not just in Britain but right across the world". | The PM spoke of his disgust at the Taliban for using a young boy as a suicide bomber, which he said would "offend public opinion not just in Britain but right across the world". |
| He said the Royal Marines who were killed had "died in the front line of terror" and "would never be forgotten" for what they had achieved on behalf of Britain. | He said the Royal Marines who were killed had "died in the front line of terror" and "would never be forgotten" for what they had achieved on behalf of Britain. |
| This is a dreadful tragedy, and our heartfelt condolences go to the families and friends of the men who have lost their lives Alex SalmondScottish First Minister | This is a dreadful tragedy, and our heartfelt condolences go to the families and friends of the men who have lost their lives Alex SalmondScottish First Minister |
| And he praised the courage of the British forces carrying out their duty in their country, saying that "we are safer in Britain" because of the work they do there. | And he praised the courage of the British forces carrying out their duty in their country, saying that "we are safer in Britain" because of the work they do there. |
| "Checking the Taliban, operating as the frontline against them, making sure that they cannot make advances, holding them in, and holding al-Qaeda in as well," he said. | "Checking the Taliban, operating as the frontline against them, making sure that they cannot make advances, holding them in, and holding al-Qaeda in as well," he said. |
| After his visit, he went to the capital, Kabul, for talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai after which he hinted at a change of strategy to tackle the "chain of terror" emerging from the Pakistan and Afghanistan mountains. | After his visit, he went to the capital, Kabul, for talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai after which he hinted at a change of strategy to tackle the "chain of terror" emerging from the Pakistan and Afghanistan mountains. |
| In a news conference he also suggested that more British troops will be deployed to Afghanistan next year to support the democratic process and social and economic development, promising a more detailed announcement in the House of Commons next week. | In a news conference he also suggested that more British troops will be deployed to Afghanistan next year to support the democratic process and social and economic development, promising a more detailed announcement in the House of Commons next week. |
| Three hundred extra British troops from a Cyprus-based stand-by contingent have been deployed to the Lashkar Gah area in southern Afghanistan this week, reinforcing the 8,100 troops already in the country. | Three hundred extra British troops from a Cyprus-based stand-by contingent have been deployed to the Lashkar Gah area in southern Afghanistan this week, reinforcing the 8,100 troops already in the country. |
| Meanwhile, President Karzai said that no further contact had been made between officials of the Afghan Government and the Taliban after peace talks were rejected last month. | Meanwhile, President Karzai said that no further contact had been made between officials of the Afghan Government and the Taliban after peace talks were rejected last month. |
| "But of course our efforts to seek solutions through peaceful means is on, and we will continue working on it," he said. | "But of course our efforts to seek solutions through peaceful means is on, and we will continue working on it," he said. |
| Arbroath grieves | Arbroath grieves |
| Floral tributes poured in from the community of Arbroath where three of the Royal Marines hailed. | Floral tributes poured in from the community of Arbroath where three of the Royal Marines hailed. |
| Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said it was 45 Commando's biggest single loss in recent years. | Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said it was 45 Commando's 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. | 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." | "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." |
| BBC Scotland correspondent Colin Blane said 45 Commando had flown out about 10 weeks for their third tour of duty in the region. | BBC Scotland correspondent Colin Blane said 45 Commando had flown out about 10 weeks for their third tour of duty in the region. |