Browne: More support needed
The defence secretary is confident that Nato forces can tackle the Taliban.
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Sunday, 09, Dec 2007 07:21
The defence secretary has called on the international community to provide more troops to support the fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan.
According to Des Browne, the demands set by Nato's International Security Assistance Force were not being met, leaving forces in need of support.
Talking on BBC Radio 4's The World This Weekend, he said: "What is known as the requirement has not yet been met and I think that is well known.
"And we continue to discuss with our allies and our friends across the international community who can help provide the additional support that that military effort needs."
A British soldier from the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment killed in southern Afghanistan on Saturday took the toll of British dead to 86 since October 2001.
However the defence secretary stressed the significance of battling the Taliban in the south of the country and admitted ""the insurgency is still strong in parts".
"This is going to be a long-term project and I do not personally feel any sense of disappointment that we have made this much progress in six years," he added.
He explained that British troops had typically "overmatched" the Taliban.
"I believe that over this winter again, we will see another significant shift in our ability to be able to create security, which I hope the Afghans can then take advantage of," said Mr Browne.
Click here for a summary of the situation in Afghanistan