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Afghan battle 'being won' - Brown Afghan battle 'being won' - Brown
(19 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has said Britain is "winning the battle against the insurgency" in Afghanistan, as he outlined his long-term strategy to MPs. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has told MPs forces are "winning the battle against the insurgency" in Afghanistan.
The prime minister said Britain and its coalition partners were "isolating and eliminating the leadership of the Taleban, not negotiating with them". He said Britain and its coalition partners were "isolating and eliminating the leadership of the Taleban, not negotiating with them".
He also announced £450m towards development for 2009 to 2012. But he supported Afghan leaders' moves towards "political reconciliation" - including with former insurgents now prepared to denounce the insurgency.
Mr Brown also said British forces would get 150 new protected patrol vehicles and extra Sea King helicopters. He also announced £450m development funding and more equipment for troops.
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. He said he wanted to build on military progress and help Afghans take more responsibility for government, security and economic development.
The source said the need to move the political process forward could lead to talks between the Taleban and elected Afghan leaders. Newspaper reports had suggested that Mr Brown would say it was "time to talk" to the Taleban.
No negotiation
But outlining his strategy in the House of Commons, the prime minister said: "Our aim is to build and eradicate the Taleban insurgency and to isolate the leadership. We are not negotiating with the leadership and I don't propose to do so."
He added he wanted to support Afghanistan's president Hamid Karzai in his efforts towards "political reconciliation" - which might include "bringing across" former insurgents who were now prepared to denounce it.
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
Tory leader David Cameron suggested newspapers had been briefed before the announcement, leading to "conflicting statements".
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.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.
"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."
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". Also in his statement, Mr Brown urged President Karzai to press ahead with "targeted eradication" policies against the poppy crop in Helmand.
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. And he announced £450m for "development and stabilisation assistance" between 2009 and 2012, as well as 150 new protected patrol vehicles and extra Sea King helicopters.
While Mr Brown visited UK troops at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan on Monday, 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 7,800 troops in the country.The UK currently has about 7,800 troops in the country.