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PM meets troops on Afghan visit PM meets troops on Afghan visit
(20 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has been visiting British troops in Afghanistan to show his support in the run-up to Christmas.Gordon Brown has been visiting British troops in Afghanistan to show his support in the run-up to Christmas.
The prime minister inspected new equipment and held talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kandahar.The prime minister inspected new equipment and held talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kandahar.
He said the next few months would be "critical" and urged the Afghan government to take a bigger role in taking on the Taliban. He said the next few months would be "critical" and urged the Afghan government to take a bigger role in confronting the Taliban.
Unusually, Mr Brown spent the night in the country, rather than flying in and out in one day.Unusually, Mr Brown spent the night in the country, rather than flying in and out in one day.
He slept in "basic quarters" at the Kandahar air base.He slept in "basic quarters" at the Kandahar air base.
There are currently about one or two attacks a week by Taliban in the Kandahar area.There are currently about one or two attacks a week by Taliban in the Kandahar area.
'Difficult year''Difficult year'
The prime minister said: "I wanted to be here with the troops to thank them for what they are doing.The prime minister said: "I wanted to be here with the troops to thank them for what they are doing.
"I wanted to see what it was like working with them.""I wanted to see what it was like working with them."
Late on Saturday night and early on Sunday, Mr Brown was briefed by senior military staff and met some of the regular troops.Late on Saturday night and early on Sunday, Mr Brown was briefed by senior military staff and met some of the regular troops.
He was shown new mine-protected vehicles and unmanned aircraft, which are designed to protect troops from roadside bombs.He was shown new mine-protected vehicles and unmanned aircraft, which are designed to protect troops from roadside bombs.
During his visit, he revealed that British forces had destroyed almost 1,500 roadside bombs in the last six months.During his visit, he revealed that British forces had destroyed almost 1,500 roadside bombs in the last six months.
This year alone, 100 British service personnel have been killed in Afghanistan.This year alone, 100 British service personnel have been killed in Afghanistan.
Mr Brown told troops: "I know this has been a difficult year."Mr Brown told troops: "I know this has been a difficult year."
He acknowledged that casualty numbers had been "high" and paid tribute to the troops' "bravery, professionalism and dedication". He acknowledged that casualty numbers had been high and paid tribute to the troops' "bravery, professionalism and dedication".
But he said he felt more confident about the conflict following decisions by the US and Britain to send in more troops.But he said he felt more confident about the conflict following decisions by the US and Britain to send in more troops.