In a statement to MPs the prime minister will argue raising the number of forces will help mitigate the risk to British soldiers from insurgent attacks.
Mr Brown will also deliver an update on the progress made in Afghanistan during the summer, including the controversial presidential election.
The results from the historic poll are yet to be confirmed, although incumbent president Hamid Karzai has informally been declared the winner.
The election, however, has been overshadowed by allegations of widespread vote rigging.
Mr Brown is expected to tell MPs that increasing the number of Afghan security forces justifies increasing the number of British troops deployed in the country.
In April Mr Brown announced a 'temporary uplift' to the number of British forces serving in Afghanistan, from 8,300 to around 9,000. Downing Street has confirmed the current total now stands at 9,150.
No 10 has been reluctant to reveal, however, how many of the additional troops would be staying in Afghanistan on a permanent basis before this lunchtime's statement.
Public opinion in the UK has begun to turn against the ongoing military campaign against the Taliban with the number of British troops killed during the summer escalating rapidly with the launch of Operation Panther Claw, aimed at improving security ahead of the August elections.
A total of 221 British forces have died while serving in Afghanistan since coalition forces ousted the Taliban from Kabul in October 2001.
Of these 34 have died since July 21st, when parliament rose for its summer recess.
No comments:
Post a Comment