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Blair defends Nato's Afghan role Blair defends Nato's Afghan role
(about 11 hours later)
People in Afghanistan have "suffered" as a result of military action against the Taleban but Nato's presence remains "absolutely critical", Tony Blair says.People in Afghanistan have "suffered" as a result of military action against the Taleban but Nato's presence remains "absolutely critical", Tony Blair says.
"We do not want al-Qaeda and the Taleban back in power in Afghanistan, using it as a training ground for terrorism," the UK prime minister said. "We do not want al-Qaeda and the Taleban back in power in Afghanistan, using it as a training ground for terrorism," the prime minister said.
He added the situation was better than under the last regime, despite a report that 90,000 people had been displaced.He added the situation was better than under the last regime, despite a report that 90,000 people had been displaced.
Currently there are about 32,000 troops under Nato control in the country.Currently there are about 32,000 troops under Nato control in the country.
"Sure there are people in Afghanistan who are suffering as a result of the fighting that's taking place," Mr Blair said after a meeting in Downing Street with his Finnish counterpart, Matti Vanhanen."Sure there are people in Afghanistan who are suffering as a result of the fighting that's taking place," Mr Blair said after a meeting in Downing Street with his Finnish counterpart, Matti Vanhanen.
"But they suffered a lot more under the Taleban.""But they suffered a lot more under the Taleban."
The Nato mission in Afghanistan was "absolutely critical for global security" and was backed by a UN resolution, he added.The Nato mission in Afghanistan was "absolutely critical for global security" and was backed by a UN resolution, he added.
'Caught in middle''Caught in middle'
Nato has now taken charge of the country's eastern provinces, which have been under the control of US forces since the Taleban were ousted five years ago.Nato has now taken charge of the country's eastern provinces, which have been under the control of US forces since the Taleban were ousted five years ago.
The alliance's International Security Assistance Force already commands troops in the north, west and south of Afghanistan, as well as Kabul.The alliance's International Security Assistance Force already commands troops in the north, west and south of Afghanistan, as well as Kabul.
A BBC/ICM poll suggested 53% in the UK opposed troop deploymentIt means that some 12,000 US soldiers have now come under the command of General David Richards from the UK.A BBC/ICM poll suggested 53% in the UK opposed troop deploymentIt means that some 12,000 US soldiers have now come under the command of General David Richards from the UK.
But the United Nations High Commission for Refugees has claimed up to 90,000 Afghans have been displaced by the fighting in the south of the country.But the United Nations High Commission for Refugees has claimed up to 90,000 Afghans have been displaced by the fighting in the south of the country.
"These are people who just don't want to be caught in the middle," the commission's spokesman Peter Kessler told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."These are people who just don't want to be caught in the middle," the commission's spokesman Peter Kessler told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"They don't want to be caught up in the conflict, and they feel insecure or their homes have been destroyed or damaged, their crops have been damaged."They don't want to be caught up in the conflict, and they feel insecure or their homes have been destroyed or damaged, their crops have been damaged.
"The actions by the Nato forces have had their effects.""The actions by the Nato forces have had their effects."