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Brown stands by Afghan strategy Brown stands by Afghan strategy
(10 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has said the UK's commitment to Afghanistan is "undiminished" despite the death of a further two British soldiers in action.Gordon Brown has said the UK's commitment to Afghanistan is "undiminished" despite the death of a further two British soldiers in action.
Nine British personnel have died in the past ten days, leading to criticism of the UK's strategy in Afghanistan from the Lib Dems and Conservatives.Nine British personnel have died in the past ten days, leading to criticism of the UK's strategy in Afghanistan from the Lib Dems and Conservatives.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said Mr Brown should "stop pretending that this is someone else's conflict".Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said Mr Brown should "stop pretending that this is someone else's conflict".
Mr Brown said "success" in the mission would honour those who had died.Mr Brown said "success" in the mission would honour those who had died.
Speaking in Italy, where he is attending the G8 summit, Mr Brown spoke of his "sadness" at the loss of more lives after it was confirmed soldiers from the 4th Battalion The Rifles and the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment had died.Speaking in Italy, where he is attending the G8 summit, Mr Brown spoke of his "sadness" at the loss of more lives after it was confirmed soldiers from the 4th Battalion The Rifles and the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment had died.
The number of British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since 2001 has risen to 178.The number of British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since 2001 has risen to 178.
Mr Brown praised the "incredible professionalism, courage, bravery and dedication" of British troops serving there.Mr Brown praised the "incredible professionalism, courage, bravery and dedication" of British troops serving there.
Our resolution to complete the work we have started in Afghanistan and Pakistan is undiminished Gordon Brown Two more UK deaths in Afghanistan It really does show how we have got to redouble our efforts to make sure everything we are doing is actually working David Cameron Two more UK deaths in Afghanistan
And he said the UK and its coalition partners were determined to see their mission through.And he said the UK and its coalition partners were determined to see their mission through.
"Our resolution to complete the work we have started in Afghanistan and Pakistan is undiminished," he said."Our resolution to complete the work we have started in Afghanistan and Pakistan is undiminished," he said.
Afghanistan was a democracy, he said, while real progress had been made in social and economic development but he accepted the Afghan army and police must be strengthened.Afghanistan was a democracy, he said, while real progress had been made in social and economic development but he accepted the Afghan army and police must be strengthened.
'Hard questions''Hard questions'
The Lib Dems repeated their calls for the army to be given more helicopters in Afghanistan, saying the war must be fought "properly or not at all".The Lib Dems repeated their calls for the army to be given more helicopters in Afghanistan, saying the war must be fought "properly or not at all".
"We need to ask ourselves very simple, hard, tough questions," Nick Clegg said, adding the latest deaths had caused "immense distress"."We need to ask ourselves very simple, hard, tough questions," Nick Clegg said, adding the latest deaths had caused "immense distress".
"Are we giving them the backing they deserve? Are we giving them the troop numbers they need? Are we giving them the equipment that they must have to protect themselves from harm. Are we putting a political strategy in place to make sure their efforts are not in vain?""Are we giving them the backing they deserve? Are we giving them the troop numbers they need? Are we giving them the equipment that they must have to protect themselves from harm. Are we putting a political strategy in place to make sure their efforts are not in vain?"
In recent days, Mr Clegg has suggested the government turned down a request from the Army to send an additional 2,000 troops earlier this year ahead of next month's elections, limiting reinforcements to an extra 800.In recent days, Mr Clegg has suggested the government turned down a request from the Army to send an additional 2,000 troops earlier this year ahead of next month's elections, limiting reinforcements to an extra 800.
It really does show how we have got to redouble our efforts to make sure everything we are doing is actually working David Cameron Nick Clegg asked whether the forces were given the backing they deserved
Conservative leader David Cameron said the news of further UK casualties was "desperately sad".Conservative leader David Cameron said the news of further UK casualties was "desperately sad".
They demonstrated the "very high price" that the Army was paying for its efforts in Afghanistan.They demonstrated the "very high price" that the Army was paying for its efforts in Afghanistan.
"It really does show how we have got to redouble our efforts to make sure everything we are doing is actually working.""It really does show how we have got to redouble our efforts to make sure everything we are doing is actually working."
He said the British public understood the need to stabilise Afghanistan to prevent the spread of terrorism but argued "some serious changes" in strategy were needed.He said the British public understood the need to stabilise Afghanistan to prevent the spread of terrorism but argued "some serious changes" in strategy were needed.
People wanted to see more done to equip the country for the future by building up its army, tackling corruption and the drugs trade, he said.People wanted to see more done to equip the country for the future by building up its army, tackling corruption and the drugs trade, he said.
"It is vital we do that to make sure these lives are not lost in vain.""It is vital we do that to make sure these lives are not lost in vain."
Ministers say they will do everything to ensure troops have the resources needed to do the job being asked of them.Ministers say they will do everything to ensure troops have the resources needed to do the job being asked of them.