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PM Blair flying into Afghanistan Blair meets troops in Afghanistan
(about 2 hours later)
Prime Minister Tony Blair is flying to Afghanistan to meet British diplomats and soldiers following his visit to neighbouring Pakistan. Prime Minister Tony Blair has visited British troops at Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan on a flying visit to the country.
Mr Blair will meet some of the 6,000-strong British force who have been serving in Afghanistan since the US-led invasion five years ago. Mr Blair met some of the 6,000-strong British force who have been serving in Afghanistan since the US-led invasion five years ago.
The prime minister met dozens of troops who had been involved in heavy fighting in recent months.
"Thank you for the job you are doing here," Mr Blair told them.
'Fundamental importance'
On Sunday in Pakistan Mr Blair said he was standing by the government of Afghan leader President Hamid Karzai.On Sunday in Pakistan Mr Blair said he was standing by the government of Afghan leader President Hamid Karzai.
"Nobody should be in any doubt at all about our commitment to Afghanistan.""Nobody should be in any doubt at all about our commitment to Afghanistan."
Mr Blair added: "We believe it is of fundamental importance to our own security to stick with it and see the job through."Mr Blair added: "We believe it is of fundamental importance to our own security to stick with it and see the job through."
The prime minister has not visited British troops in the country since soon after the invasion in 2002.The prime minister has not visited British troops in the country since soon after the invasion in 2002.
The UK forces in the central Asian country include about 4,500 soldiers serving in the southern Helmand province, where troops have been involved in the fiercest fighting involving British troops since the Korean War.The UK forces in the central Asian country include about 4,500 soldiers serving in the southern Helmand province, where troops have been involved in the fiercest fighting involving British troops since the Korean War.
So far this year, 38 British troops have been killed in fighting in Afghanistan.So far this year, 38 British troops have been killed in fighting in Afghanistan.
More than 6,000 British personnel are in AfghanistanMore than 6,000 British personnel are in Afghanistan
On Sunday, the UK and Pakistan agreed to strengthen their ties to fight terrorism, following talks between the countries' two leaders in Lahore.On Sunday, the UK and Pakistan agreed to strengthen their ties to fight terrorism, following talks between the countries' two leaders in Lahore.
Mr Blair and President Pervez Musharraf agreed restoring order in Afghanistan was crucial.Mr Blair and President Pervez Musharraf agreed restoring order in Afghanistan was crucial.
The prime minister praised Pakistan's co-operation. The president said his country was doing all it could to help.The prime minister praised Pakistan's co-operation. The president said his country was doing all it could to help.
But he added that defeating the Taleban in Afghanistan could not be done by force alone and said a "broader strategy" was needed.But he added that defeating the Taleban in Afghanistan could not be done by force alone and said a "broader strategy" was needed.
'Marshall Plan' call'Marshall Plan' call
He urged a "massive inflow" of development aid to rebuild the south-east of the country - the centre of the Taleban insurgency.He urged a "massive inflow" of development aid to rebuild the south-east of the country - the centre of the Taleban insurgency.
He likened the effort needed to the US Marshall Plan to reconstruct Europe after World War II.He likened the effort needed to the US Marshall Plan to reconstruct Europe after World War II.
Mr Blair pledged a commitment to battling the Taleban, saying: "Nobody should be in any doubt at all about our commitment to Afghanistan."Mr Blair pledged a commitment to battling the Taleban, saying: "Nobody should be in any doubt at all about our commitment to Afghanistan."
It was of "fundamental importance" to global security "to stick with it and see the job through," he said.It was of "fundamental importance" to global security "to stick with it and see the job through," he said.
In pictures: Blair in PakistanIn pictures: Blair in Pakistan
Mr Blair's official spokesman later said Britain had always pursued security alongside reconstruction in Afghanistan, and the problem was not funds but getting security and infrastructures in place.Mr Blair's official spokesman later said Britain had always pursued security alongside reconstruction in Afghanistan, and the problem was not funds but getting security and infrastructures in place.
Pakistan's co-operation in cracking down on cross-border infiltration by Taleban militants is seen as critically important for the success of US and Nato military operations in Afghanistan.Pakistan's co-operation in cracking down on cross-border infiltration by Taleban militants is seen as critically important for the success of US and Nato military operations in Afghanistan.
Gen Musharraf said: "The Taleban problem is an Afghan problem. It is in the south-eastern region of Afghanistan, being supported by elements from this side," he said.Gen Musharraf said: "The Taleban problem is an Afghan problem. It is in the south-eastern region of Afghanistan, being supported by elements from this side," he said.
"We need to put our house in order here on our side and make sure that this support is cut off. But the main battle is in Afghanistan.""We need to put our house in order here on our side and make sure that this support is cut off. But the main battle is in Afghanistan."
The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson, who is travelling with Mr Blair, said: "The prime minister has heard warnings here in Pakistan that the war in Afghanistan will not be won simply through military means.The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson, who is travelling with Mr Blair, said: "The prime minister has heard warnings here in Pakistan that the war in Afghanistan will not be won simply through military means.
"Nato's own commander says the next few months will be vital."Nato's own commander says the next few months will be vital.
"With questions growing about the war in Iraq, he can ill afford to have another war described as pretty much a disaster.""With questions growing about the war in Iraq, he can ill afford to have another war described as pretty much a disaster."