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Afghan deployment to be outlined Afghan deployment to be outlined
(about 4 hours later)
The deployment of about 1,000 extra UK troops to Afghanistan is due to be confirmed later.The deployment of about 1,000 extra UK troops to Afghanistan is due to be confirmed later.
The details of the deployment are expected to come in a Commons statement from Defence Secretary Des Browne.The details of the deployment are expected to come in a Commons statement from Defence Secretary Des Browne.
Most are likely to be sent to the volatile province of Helmand, where UK forces have been fighting the Taleban.Most are likely to be sent to the volatile province of Helmand, where UK forces have been fighting the Taleban.
Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram said reinforcements were needed because it was a "difficult and complex area", where UK forces faced hostile action.Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram said reinforcements were needed because it was a "difficult and complex area", where UK forces faced hostile action.
The Taleban wanted to create a "medieval theocracy", he told ITV1's Sunday Edition.The Taleban wanted to create a "medieval theocracy", he told ITV1's Sunday Edition.
Spring offensiveSpring offensive
Mr Ingram said: "We face quite hostile action there and that is why we have to bolster our strength there."Mr Ingram said: "We face quite hostile action there and that is why we have to bolster our strength there."
There are currently 5,600 British troops in Afghanistan, mostly in Helmand.There are currently 5,600 British troops in Afghanistan, mostly in Helmand.
Nato commanders have said they need more soldiers to tackle an expected spring offensive by the Taleban.Nato commanders have said they need more soldiers to tackle an expected spring offensive by the Taleban.
The announcement of the extra UK deployment comes days after Prime Minister Tony Blair said the country's military presence in Iraq was being reduced by 1,600 personnel.The announcement of the extra UK deployment comes days after Prime Minister Tony Blair said the country's military presence in Iraq was being reduced by 1,600 personnel.
And it comes as Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett visits Pakistan, where she will discuss efforts to prevent members of the Taleban taking refuge inside the country's borders.
'Winnable' battle'Winnable' battle
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, who has called for UK soldiers to be out of Iraq by October, backed the plans to bolster Afghanistan forces.Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, who has called for UK soldiers to be out of Iraq by October, backed the plans to bolster Afghanistan forces.
He told the BBC: "I think [the military campaign] is winnable - that's the judgement of the senior commanders.He told the BBC: "I think [the military campaign] is winnable - that's the judgement of the senior commanders.
"There is no doubt that this is in a different category altogether from Iraq and it is somewhere where we should be putting resources to bring about, as far as we can, a successful conclusion.""There is no doubt that this is in a different category altogether from Iraq and it is somewhere where we should be putting resources to bring about, as far as we can, a successful conclusion."
The Tories have said the new Afghan deployment shows UK forces are too "overstretched" to carry out duties in both there and in Iraq.The Tories have said the new Afghan deployment shows UK forces are too "overstretched" to carry out duties in both there and in Iraq.
Manpower revampManpower revamp
The UK has recently revamped its operations in Afghanistan to put most manpower into Helmand province in the south, where the fighting is at its most fierce.The UK has recently revamped its operations in Afghanistan to put most manpower into Helmand province in the south, where the fighting is at its most fierce.
The 1,300 troops currently in Kabul will come out of that region shortly.The 1,300 troops currently in Kabul will come out of that region shortly.
The majority of those will go south to Helmand, except for about 400 who will leave Afghanistan.The majority of those will go south to Helmand, except for about 400 who will leave Afghanistan.
The remaining 5,200 troops in the country will be bolstered by the expected extra 1,000 troops, making the UK force in Afghanistan 6,200-strong.The remaining 5,200 troops in the country will be bolstered by the expected extra 1,000 troops, making the UK force in Afghanistan 6,200-strong.