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Brown setting out Afghan strategy Afghan battle 'being won' - Brown
(about 2 hours later)
Gordon Brown will outline his long-term strategy for Afghanistan to MPs later. Gordon Brown has said Britain is "winning the battle against the insurgency" in Afghanistan, as he outlined his long-term strategy to MPs.
The prime minister, just back from the country, is expected to announce more funding to develop democracy. The prime minister said Britain and its coalition partners were "isolating and eliminating the leadership of the Taleban, not negotiating with them".
There will be a drive to negotiate with local tribal elders, but Britain will not engage in direct talks with Taleban leadership, the BBC's David Loyn said. He also announced £450m towards development for 2009 to 2012.
But the need to move the political process forward could lead to talks between the Taleban and elected Afghan leaders, Mr Brown is expected to say. Mr Brown also said British forces would get 150 new protected patrol vehicles and extra Sea King helicopters.
Senior government sources rejected suggestions that Britain would engage directly with the Taleban, but said some contacts had already been made by President Hamid Karzai's administration. Senior government sources had already rejected reports that Britain would engage directly with the Taleban, although there will be a drive to negotiate with local tribal elders.
Policy shift The source said the need to move the political process forward could lead to talks between the Taleban and elected Afghan leaders.
The BBC understands there had been a new emphasis on negotiations with local tribal elders and the embassy in Kabul had been investigating how local support for the Taleban works.
This had some success before fighting for the town of Musa Qala at the weekend, when one local tribal supporter of the Taleban came over to the British side with his men.
The solution to an insurgency is a political one Lt Col Richard EatonThe solution to an insurgency is a political one Lt Col Richard Eaton
A source close to Mr Brown told the BBC the aim was to isolate those parts of the Taleban who will not negotiate, while talking to those who may want an end to the fighting. Earlier Lieutenant Colonel Richard Eaton, a spokesman for British forces in Helmand, told the BBC: "Ultimately we are in an insurgency here and the solution to an insurgency is a political one.
Asked what he thought of the idea, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Eaton, a spokesman for British forces in Helmand, told the BBC: "Ultimately we are in an insurgency here and the solution to an insurgency is a political one.
"I think there is always scope for negotiations and there will be some members of the Taleban who are reconcilable and there will be some who are not - it's a question of striking the balance.""I think there is always scope for negotiations and there will be some members of the Taleban who are reconcilable and there will be some who are not - it's a question of striking the balance."
Nato presence
Mr Brown is also likely to restate his warning that UK troops may need to stay in the country for several more years.
He will stress the need for political process, economic reconstruction and for Britain's Nato allies to share more of the burden in Afghanistan - he is expected to call for other Nato members to increase their presence.
And he will argue the same emphasis must be given to economic and political solutions as to military ones.
On Monday Mr Brown visited British troops at Camp Bastion, the UK's largest military base in Afghanistan, and pledged continued UK support to fight the Taleban "for the next few years".On Monday Mr Brown visited British troops at Camp Bastion, the UK's largest military base in Afghanistan, and pledged continued UK support to fight the Taleban "for the next few years".
While he was making his visit, his first as prime minister, Afghan and Nato forces, including British troops, were engaged in a fierce battle to retake Musa Qala, which fell under Taleban control in February.While he was making his visit, his first as prime minister, Afghan and Nato forces, including British troops, were engaged in a fierce battle to retake Musa Qala, which fell under Taleban control in February.
Sgt Lee Johnson, 33, who was serving with the 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, was killed in the assault.Sgt Lee Johnson, 33, who was serving with the 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, was killed in the assault.
The number of UK troops killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 now stands at 86.The number of UK troops killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 now stands at 86.
The UK currently has about 7,000 troops in the country. The UK currently has about 7,800 troops in the country.