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Miliband speaks on Afghan mission New strategy in UK Afghan mission
(about 6 hours later)
The foreign secretary is expected to focus on how the international coalition can win its mission in Afghanistan in a speech to Nato. Foreign Secretary David Miliband is expected to announce a change of emphasis in UK strategy in Afghanistan.
David Miliband is believed to be keen to outline the need to support the Afghan government, alongside the continuing military mission. In a speech to Nato, he will outline putting pressure on the Afghan government to talk to moderate members of the Taliban.
International development secretary Douglas Alexander compared the move to the talks which brought an end to the conflict in Northern Ireland.
July has been the deadliest month for the UK and Nato since operations began.July has been the deadliest month for the UK and Nato since operations began.
The UK on Sunday pledged £225m in aid to the Afghan government, to try to undermine the heroin trade. Speaking ahead of the foreign secretary's speech, Mr Alexander, who is in Afghanistan, conceded that it was a tough message for politicians to suggest when British troops were being killed in action.
Announcing the package in Kabul, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said the UK was committed to securing a "stable and democratic future for the people of Afghanistan". 'Renunciate violence'
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "But I have confidence in the good judgment of the British people.
"I think people recognise from the experience of places like Northern Ireland that it is necessary to put military pressure on the Taliban while at the same time holding out the prospect that there can be a political process that can follow, whereby those that are willing to renunciate violence can follow a different path."
Mr Alexander said there was a broad international consensus for the process, which he said would have to be led by the Afghan government.
On Sunday, the UK government pledged £225m in aid to the Afghan government, to try to undermine the heroin trade.
Announcing the package in Kabul, Mr Alexander said the UK was committed to securing a "stable and democratic future for the people of Afghanistan".
He added that the military operation against the insurgency was "only part of the solution".He added that the military operation against the insurgency was "only part of the solution".
Mr Alexander is due to arrive in Helmand province on Monday, where UK soldiers have been engaged in Operation Panther's Claw to capture and hold land previously in Taliban hands. Wave of attacks
Mr Alexander is now visiting Helmand province, where UK soldiers have been engaged in Operation Panther's Claw to capture and hold land previously in Taliban hands.
The operation has led to the deaths of 20 British soldiers in the past four weeks.The operation has led to the deaths of 20 British soldiers in the past four weeks.
US troops have also seen a rise in casualties, while parts of Afghanistan that have been mostly peaceful have seen an upsurge in violence.US troops have also seen a rise in casualties, while parts of Afghanistan that have been mostly peaceful have seen an upsurge in violence.
Wave of attacks
Other Nato forces such as German troops - mainly engaged in training and reconstruction - have been drawn into offensive action.Other Nato forces such as German troops - mainly engaged in training and reconstruction - have been drawn into offensive action.
A wave of Taliban attacks over the weekend left 22 dead, including insurgents, a foreign soldier and two Afghan soldiers, authorities said.A wave of Taliban attacks over the weekend left 22 dead, including insurgents, a foreign soldier and two Afghan soldiers, authorities said.
The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said a Nato soldier "died of wounds suffered in a hostile incident" on Saturday, but did not confirm his nationality.The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said a Nato soldier "died of wounds suffered in a hostile incident" on Saturday, but did not confirm his nationality.
Meanwhile a roadside bomb in the Herat province wounded four Italian soldiers.Meanwhile a roadside bomb in the Herat province wounded four Italian soldiers.
There are about 90,000 foreign soldiers currently deployed in Afghanistan.There are about 90,000 foreign soldiers currently deployed in Afghanistan.
Large numbers are being moved to the troubled south of the country ahead of the elections on 20 August.Large numbers are being moved to the troubled south of the country ahead of the elections on 20 August.
So far in July, 67 international troops have been killed, bringing the total number of coalition deaths in 2009 to 223.So far in July, 67 international troops have been killed, bringing the total number of coalition deaths in 2009 to 223.