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Brown 'optimism' on Afghan troops Brown 'optimism' on Afghan troops
(30 minutes later)
The deployment of 500 extra UK troops to Afghanistan is a step closer after Gordon Brown said he is "optimistic" of securing reinforcements from allies.The deployment of 500 extra UK troops to Afghanistan is a step closer after Gordon Brown said he is "optimistic" of securing reinforcements from allies.
He believes 5,000 more troops can be provided by other countries.He believes 5,000 more troops can be provided by other countries.
His spokesman said the timescale for British troop deployment was for military chiefs to decide, but they were "ready in principle to go".His spokesman said the timescale for British troop deployment was for military chiefs to decide, but they were "ready in principle to go".
It comes after meetings were held by UK representatives and 10 countries to encourage them to raise troop numbers.It comes after meetings were held by UK representatives and 10 countries to encourage them to raise troop numbers.
Mr Brown sent Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth and senior foreign policy adviser Simon McDonald to conduct talks.Mr Brown sent Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth and senior foreign policy adviser Simon McDonald to conduct talks.
In a letter to Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the prime minister said he was confident UK efforts to persuade partners other than the US to contribute had been successful.In a letter to Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the prime minister said he was confident UK efforts to persuade partners other than the US to contribute had been successful.
He said there needed to be a "much fairer burden sharing arrangement in Afghanistan, across Nato and the coalition".He said there needed to be a "much fairer burden sharing arrangement in Afghanistan, across Nato and the coalition".
The prime minister is now optimistic on progress following that series of meetings and that a majority of the countries we have been talking to will increase their troop numbers Downing Street spokesman
He wrote: "In the last week, I have asked my ministers and senior officials to pursue this effort with 10 key coalition partners, focusing on increased troop commitments in the New Year.
"Following these meetings and contacts, I am now optimistic that a majority of these countries will indeed make available increased numbers of troops, and more police trainers and civilian support."
He said that it was essential that the purpose of the presence of international forces in Afghanistan was clear.
"In addition to offering security, they must train and mentor the Afghan armed forces and police so that, over time, they can take responsibility for the security of their country."
But the letter did not give details of which countries have been signed up or how many they are each prepared to contribute.But the letter did not give details of which countries have been signed up or how many they are each prepared to contribute.
Mr Brown's spokesman said: "The prime minister is now optimistic on progress following that series of meetings and that a majority of the countries we have been talking to will increase their troop numbers." US troop announcement
Mr Brown's spokesman said the prime minister was now optimistic "a majority of the countries we have been talking to will increase their troop numbers".
The 5,000 - which excludes Britain's promised 500 - would be made up almost entirely of troops, he said.
US President Barack Obama is expected to make his own announcement on a US troop surge next week.US President Barack Obama is expected to make his own announcement on a US troop surge next week.
In the Commons, Mr Brown told MPs: "I believe that next week we will see the American government and the rest of Nato coming together in a strategy that will mean we will have the forces that are necessary so that we can create the space for a political solution in Afghanistan that means that our streets will be safer."
Mr Brown hopes to host a summit of allies in London in January to discuss the strategy and a timetable for eventual withdrawal.