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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Warning 'more lives will be lost' | Warning 'more lives will be lost' |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| More British soldiers will be killed in Afghanistan, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has warned. | |
| His comments come just hours after the death of the seventh UK soldier to be killed in the country in a week. | His comments come just hours after the death of the seventh UK soldier to be killed in the country in a week. |
| Mr Ainsworth said: "Let us be under no illusion... The way forward is hard and dangerous. More lives will be lost." | Mr Ainsworth said: "Let us be under no illusion... The way forward is hard and dangerous. More lives will be lost." |
| In his first speech since his appointment, Mr Ainsworth reaffirmed the UK's commitment to operations in Afghanistan. | In his first speech since his appointment, Mr Ainsworth reaffirmed the UK's commitment to operations in Afghanistan. |
| The defence secretary emphasised "the situation in Afghanistan is serious - and not yet decided" and said "our resolve will be tested". | The defence secretary emphasised "the situation in Afghanistan is serious - and not yet decided" and said "our resolve will be tested". |
| But he added that there were "compelling reasons" for the UK's commitment to the operation. | But he added that there were "compelling reasons" for the UK's commitment to the operation. |
| "For Britain to be secure, Afghanistan needs to be secure," he said. | "For Britain to be secure, Afghanistan needs to be secure," he said. |
| The British death toll in Helmand Province is rising, prompting some to question the direction of the campaign. | The British death toll in Helmand Province is rising, prompting some to question the direction of the campaign. |
| UK forces are on a major offensive against the Taliban ahead of presidential elections in Afghanistan. | UK forces are on a major offensive against the Taliban ahead of presidential elections in Afghanistan. |
| American troops are also fighting in the south of Helmand, with the death rate rising among US troops as well as British forces. | American troops are also fighting in the south of Helmand, with the death rate rising among US troops as well as British forces. |
| Seven American soldiers died on Tuesday and in the past week seven British soldiers also died. | Seven American soldiers died on Tuesday and in the past week seven British soldiers also died. |