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| Afghan President Ashraf Ghani pays tribute to UK war dead | Afghan President Ashraf Ghani pays tribute to UK war dead |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The Afghan president has paid tribute to UK soldiers who died fighting in the country, ahead of services to mark the end of British involvement in the war. | |
| Ashraf Ghani said the 453 UK troops had "paid the ultimate sacrifice to enable us to live in freedom, in hope for peace, prosperity and dignity". | Ashraf Ghani said the 453 UK troops had "paid the ultimate sacrifice to enable us to live in freedom, in hope for peace, prosperity and dignity". |
| The Queen and many veterans will attend a service at St Paul's Cathedral later to commemorate the end of the war. | The Queen and many veterans will attend a service at St Paul's Cathedral later to commemorate the end of the war. |
| A simultaneous service will be held in Afghanistan for troops still there. | A simultaneous service will be held in Afghanistan for troops still there. |
| The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prime Minister David Cameron are all expected to attend the St Paul's ceremony, which will be followed by a procession through London. | The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prime Minister David Cameron are all expected to attend the St Paul's ceremony, which will be followed by a procession through London. |
| 'Great honour' | 'Great honour' |
| Anne Linley's son, Staff Sgt Brett Linley, was 29 when he was killed as he worked to clear improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan in 2010. | Anne Linley's son, Staff Sgt Brett Linley, was 29 when he was killed as he worked to clear improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan in 2010. |
| He defused more than 100 bombs and posthumously received the George Medal for "great bravery". | He defused more than 100 bombs and posthumously received the George Medal for "great bravery". |
| Mrs Linley said it would be a "great honour" to be at St Paul's along with members of the Royal Family and other soldiers' parents. | Mrs Linley said it would be a "great honour" to be at St Paul's along with members of the Royal Family and other soldiers' parents. |
| "I'm looking forward to it but dreading it at the same time because you don't know what kind of emotions it will bring forward," she said. | "I'm looking forward to it but dreading it at the same time because you don't know what kind of emotions it will bring forward," she said. |
| Speaking about her son, she said: "I miss him all day long... we carry him in our hearts and always will." | Speaking about her son, she said: "I miss him all day long... we carry him in our hearts and always will." |
| UK forces were part of a US-led coalition which invaded Afghanistan and toppled the ruling Taliban in 2001, following the 9/11 attacks in the US. | UK forces were part of a US-led coalition which invaded Afghanistan and toppled the ruling Taliban in 2001, following the 9/11 attacks in the US. |
| A new interim government was set up in December 2001 - but the Taliban kept fighting and has killed thousands of foreign and Afghan government troops over the years since the invasion. | A new interim government was set up in December 2001 - but the Taliban kept fighting and has killed thousands of foreign and Afghan government troops over the years since the invasion. |
| The Taliban remains a powerful force in the country, and declared the "defeat" of the US and its allies when Nato formally ended its combat mission in December. | The Taliban remains a powerful force in the country, and declared the "defeat" of the US and its allies when Nato formally ended its combat mission in December. |
| At the peak of the campaign the UK military, which faced regular Taliban attacks, had 9,500 troops and 137 bases in Helmand Province | At the peak of the campaign the UK military, which faced regular Taliban attacks, had 9,500 troops and 137 bases in Helmand Province |
| Karzai 'clash' | Karzai 'clash' |
| The last British combat troops left in October last year, though some still remain in training, advisory and support roles. | The last British combat troops left in October last year, though some still remain in training, advisory and support roles. |
| As well as paying tribute to Britain's war dead, President Ghani spoke of the enduring legacy of the UK's commitment at the British-run officer training academy near Kabul. | As well as paying tribute to Britain's war dead, President Ghani spoke of the enduring legacy of the UK's commitment at the British-run officer training academy near Kabul. |
| BBC Afghanistan correspondent David Loyn said: "President Ghani's tribute contrasts strongly with complaints by his predecessor President Karzai, who said that the British presence had made things worse in Helmand and frequently clashed with British diplomats and soldiers about their role. | BBC Afghanistan correspondent David Loyn said: "President Ghani's tribute contrasts strongly with complaints by his predecessor President Karzai, who said that the British presence had made things worse in Helmand and frequently clashed with British diplomats and soldiers about their role. |
| "The new government in Afghanistan sees things very differently." | "The new government in Afghanistan sees things very differently." |