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Brown visits Afghanistan forces Brown visits Afghanistan forces
(20 minutes later)
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has arrived at Camp Bastion, the UK's largest military base in Afghanistan, as part of an unannounced visit to troops.Prime Minister Gordon Brown has arrived at Camp Bastion, the UK's largest military base in Afghanistan, as part of an unannounced visit to troops.
His visit comes two days after a soldier with the 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment was killed in an assault on a Taleban stronghold.His visit comes two days after a soldier with the 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment was killed in an assault on a Taleban stronghold.
The assault was on Musa Qala, in the southern province of Helmand where British troops are mainly based. Musa Qala, in Helmand province, was eventually taken by Afghan and Nato forces while Mr Brown visited troops.
Mr Brown told troops their job was "one of the most difficult".Mr Brown told troops their job was "one of the most difficult".
It is Mr Brown's first visit to Afghanistan as prime minister, but he visited the country when he was chancellor.It is Mr Brown's first visit to Afghanistan as prime minister, but he visited the country when he was chancellor.
FrontlineFrontline
On this occasion, he travelled from Iraq where he has also been speaking to British troops during a surprise visit.On this occasion, he travelled from Iraq where he has also been speaking to British troops during a surprise visit.
When I speak of courage, I speak of men and women here who have shown huge bravery in really difficult circumstances PM Gordon Brown
Speaking at Camp Bastion, Mr Brown told 150 of the UK's 6,000 troops in Afghanistan: "I want to thank all those who have been injured for their service and I want to remember all those who have given their lives in the service of their country."Speaking at Camp Bastion, Mr Brown told 150 of the UK's 6,000 troops in Afghanistan: "I want to thank all those who have been injured for their service and I want to remember all those who have given their lives in the service of their country."
Mr Brown told members of 40 Commando Royal Marines: "I want to thank every one of you for what you have done in what is the front line against the Taleban.Mr Brown told members of 40 Commando Royal Marines: "I want to thank every one of you for what you have done in what is the front line against the Taleban.
"This is one of the most challenging of environments, this is one of the most difficult of tasks, this is one of the most testing of times." "This is one of the most challenging of environments, it's one of the most difficult of tasks, it's the most testing of times and it's the most important of missions because to win here and to defeat the Taleban and to make sure that we can give strength to the new democracy of Afghanistan is important for defeating terrorism all round the world."
Mr Brown continued: "When I speak of courage, I speak of men and women here who have shown huge bravery in really difficult circumstances.
"I know this weekend in Musa Qala some of you here have been doing a very important job in clearing the Taleban from that area."
In a speech just before news emerged that Musa Qala had been taken from the Taleban, Mr Brown said: "I know that the work you are doing today and in the next few days is important for the whole future in Afghanistan.
"If we can succeed there it will mean we can move forward events in Afghanistan in favour of a more peaceful future for this country.
"People in Britain are incredibly proud of what you are doing."
Presidential meeting
Mr Brown then travelled to Kabul for talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
The Afghanistan visit comes after Defence Secretary Des Browne called for members of the international community to provide more troops to fight the Taleban.The Afghanistan visit comes after Defence Secretary Des Browne called for members of the international community to provide more troops to fight the Taleban.
He said the demands set by commanders from Nato's International Security Assistance Force were not being met and that the UK continued to ask countries for "additional support".He said the demands set by commanders from Nato's International Security Assistance Force were not being met and that the UK continued to ask countries for "additional support".