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UK to send 500 more Afghan troops UK sends 500 more to Afghanistan
(30 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has announced plans to send 500 more troops to Afghanistan but only if key conditions are met. Gordon Brown has announced plans to send 500 more troops to Afghanistan - but only if key conditions are met.
The troops will be sent as long as they have the necessary equipment, if other Nato allies boost their troop numbers and more Afghan troops are trained.The troops will be sent as long as they have the necessary equipment, if other Nato allies boost their troop numbers and more Afghan troops are trained.
He earlier paid tribute to each of the 37 British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since the end of July.He earlier paid tribute to each of the 37 British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since the end of July.
He read out the names of all who had died during the summer recess in what he said was a "solemn moment".He read out the names of all who had died during the summer recess in what he said was a "solemn moment".
He said he wanted to "put on record" Parliament's "gratitude" for the sacrifices they had made.He said he wanted to "put on record" Parliament's "gratitude" for the sacrifices they had made.
To date, there have been 221 deaths among UK forces in Afghanistan.To date, there have been 221 deaths among UK forces in Afghanistan.
'Commemoration''Commemoration'

Most recent UK fatalities

Total deaths 2009: 84
Updated: Sat Oct 10 2009Full list
Mr Brown devoted two minutes at the start of prime minister's questions to reading out the names of all those who had died in Afghanistan, saying this "commemoration" was on behalf of the whole House.Mr Brown devoted two minutes at the start of prime minister's questions to reading out the names of all those who had died in Afghanistan, saying this "commemoration" was on behalf of the whole House.
While nothing could "erase the pain" of bereaved families, Mr Brown said they could be proud of the actions of their loved ones and know that their "influence" would live on.While nothing could "erase the pain" of bereaved families, Mr Brown said they could be proud of the actions of their loved ones and know that their "influence" would live on.
In a statement later, Mr Brown said he was prepared, in principle, to send an extra 500 troops to Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan - where Nato troops are fighting fierce battles with the Taliban - in response to military advice.
However, he said the troop reinforcements - which would increase overall UK troop numbers to 9,500 - were conditional on three factors.
The prime minister said he needed to be sure the troops had the equipment and training necessary to perform the tasks asked of them.
We have the right strategy and we will see it through. Gordon Brown
He said two additional Merlin helicopters would be sent to Helmand in the near future and that more armoured vehicles and other specialist equipment would be provided to counter the threat of roadside bombs.
He also insisted Nato countries must bear their "fair share" of the mission by sending more troops of their own and the Afghan government had to be prepared to substantially increase their own troop presence in Helmand.
'Safer Britain'
Only if he received such guarantees, Mr Brown, said, would he be able to "justify" sending more troops.
However, Mr Brown defended the UK's continued presence in Afghanistan, saying a "safer Afghanistan was a safer Britain".
"When the safety of our country is at stake, we cannot and we will not walk away," he said. "We have the right strategy and we will see it through."
Conservative leader David Cameron and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg also paid tribute to those who had lost their lives.Conservative leader David Cameron and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg also paid tribute to those who had lost their lives.
However, they later raised issues with the prime minister about aspects of the Afghan war and support for British soldiers.However, they later raised issues with the prime minister about aspects of the Afghan war and support for British soldiers.
Mr Cameron said the military covenant with British troops needed to be "fundamentally re-examined" with more resources provided for helping badly injured troops with their rehabilitation.Mr Cameron said the military covenant with British troops needed to be "fundamentally re-examined" with more resources provided for helping badly injured troops with their rehabilitation.
He also said it was "totally unacceptable" that certain troops were not getting the training needed to equip them for future service.He also said it was "totally unacceptable" that certain troops were not getting the training needed to equip them for future service.
Mr Brown said he was "determined" to ensure that the armed forces received all the support they deserved and said he was confident that troops in Afghanistan were "properly resourced". Mr Brown said he was "determined" to ensure the armed forces received all the support they deserved and said he was confident that troops in Afghanistan were "properly resourced".
He also said there was "more help than ever before" for people leaving the armed forces. Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said there must be be a "radical" change of strategy to ensure success in Afghanistan with more emphasis on political reconciliation.
The UK has about 9,000 soldiers in the country, the second-largest contingent after the US, but there have been calls for increases in Nato troop levels. The UK has the second-largest contingent after the US, but there have been calls for increases in Nato troop levels.
It is believed that Mr Brown will agree to the deployment of 500 more British troops but with some caveats.
HAVE YOUR SAYHow about instead of sending more troops we just give the existing ones the equipment they deserve Mark, Edinburgh Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYHow about instead of sending more troops we just give the existing ones the equipment they deserve Mark, Edinburgh Send us your comments
The BBC's defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said: "The prime minister will want assurances from military chiefs that the extra troops will be properly equipped.The BBC's defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said: "The prime minister will want assurances from military chiefs that the extra troops will be properly equipped.
"He'll also expect Britain's Nato partners to follow suit by offering more forces themselves.""He'll also expect Britain's Nato partners to follow suit by offering more forces themselves."
Nato defence ministers are likely to discuss troop reinforcements at an informal meeting in Slovakia next week.Nato defence ministers are likely to discuss troop reinforcements at an informal meeting in Slovakia next week.
US President Barack Obama is currently considering a request by General Stanley McChrystal, the commander of international forces in Afghanistan, for up to 40,000 more international troops.US President Barack Obama is currently considering a request by General Stanley McChrystal, the commander of international forces in Afghanistan, for up to 40,000 more international troops.
British forces have been in Afghanistan since October 2001. More than two-thirds are stationed in the southern province of Helmand, a Taliban stronghold.British forces have been in Afghanistan since October 2001. More than two-thirds are stationed in the southern province of Helmand, a Taliban stronghold.
Military commanders have said extra troops are needed to build on the progress of this summer's Operation Panther's Claw, in which UK forces helped to expel insurgents from key areas but sustained heavy casualties in the process.Military commanders have said extra troops are needed to build on the progress of this summer's Operation Panther's Claw, in which UK forces helped to expel insurgents from key areas but sustained heavy casualties in the process.
Last week Mr Brown's spokesman said: "We have always said that more troops would have to be subject to a number of criteria - the feasibility of sending the right equipment, the right strategy internationally, and particularly this issue of 'Afghanisation' which the president and prime minister talked again about yesterday, and obviously proper burden-sharing."
Political issue
In his speech to the Conservative Party conference, leader David Cameron pledged to send more troops to Afghanistan to speed up the training of Afghan soldiers.
The Liberal Democrats have claimed the Afghan mission is "failing" and called for a new strategy and "a political surge" rather than more troops.
The question of troop numbers in Afghanistan has become highly politicised in recent months.The question of troop numbers in Afghanistan has become highly politicised in recent months.
The ex-head of the Army, Sir Richard Dannatt, has claimed that No 10 turned down a request to send up to 2,000 more troops earlier this year - a suggestion Downing Street has denied.The ex-head of the Army, Sir Richard Dannatt, has claimed that No 10 turned down a request to send up to 2,000 more troops earlier this year - a suggestion Downing Street has denied.
Sir Richard recently agreed to advise the Conservatives on defence matters. Former defence secretary John Hutton said on Wednesday that it would have been "helpful" to have sent the extra troops six months ago.
  

Isaf's major combat teams in Afghanistan

Isaf's provincial reconstruction teams in Afghanistan

  

Isaf's major combat teams in Afghanistan

Isaf's provincial reconstruction teams in Afghanistan

Over 40 countries contribute forces to the international mission in Afghanistan. Isaf has full details of current contributing nations.Over 40 countries contribute forces to the international mission in Afghanistan. Isaf has full details of current contributing nations.