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David Cameron in Kabul for talks with Afghan president | |
(35 minutes later) | |
UK Prime Minister David Cameron has arrived in Kabul for talks with new Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. | |
Mr Cameron said British armed forces had paid a "very high price" for their involvement in Afghanistan. | |
As he arrived, the prime minister said Britain had gone "a long way" towards achieving its objectives there. | |
Earlier Mr Cameron visited RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus from where RAF Tornados are launching air strikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq. | |
BBC deputy political editor James Landale said the prime minister, who will also be meeting Afghanistan's new Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, wanted to "get in early" with the new government. | |
Mr Ghani took office four days ago after coming to a power-sharing agreement with presidential rival Mr Abdullah. | |
'Ultimate price' | |
Mr Cameron paid tribute to the 453 servicemen and women from the UK who have died while serving in Afghanistan, as well as those who had been injured. | |
"They (the armed forces) have paid a very high price for our engagement in Afghanistan," said Mr Cameron. "They have done vital work here. | |
"We should remember those who paid the ultimate price and those who were injured through the work they did." | |
British combat troops are due to leave Afghanistan by the end of the year after a 13-year campaign. A small number of soldiers will remain in the country to train Afghan army officers. | |
The UK is one of the largest financial donors to the Afghan government. | |
During the visit, Mr Cameron and Mr Ghani are due to discuss a crucial conference to be held in London next month which will consider future aid to Afghanistan. |