Obama praise for 'extraordinary' UK military
The US president said that countries needed to be prepared to take development efforts in Afghanistan after operations
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Sunday, 12, Jul 2009 03:46
US president Barack Obama has praised Britain for playing an "extraordinary" role in operations in Afghanistan.
In an interview with Sky News in Ghana, the US commander in chief said that efforts to improve security in the country ahead of elections were vital and needed the US, Europe and Britain's efforts to succeed.
He told the broadcaster: "This is not an American mission. The mission in Afghanistan is one that the Europeans have as much, if not more of, a stake in than we do.
"The likelihood of a terrorist attack in London is at least as high, if not higher, than it is in the United States."
Speaking about the deaths of eight British soldiers last week, Mr Obama said: "My heart goes out to the families of those British soldiers.
"Great Britain has played an extraordinary role in this coalition, understanding that we cannot allow either Afghanistan or Pakistan to be a safe haven for al Qaeda."
The US president stressed the need for greater cooperation after the conclusion of elections in the country, adding that efforts to boost the development of institutions in Afghanistan were necessary.
Mr Obama also emphasised the need for a trained judiciary, an effective system of law and order, adding that the people of Afghanistan needed to be provided with alternatives to drug production.
A total of 184 British troops have been killed in operations in Afghanistan since the invasion in 2001, higher than the numbers killed in Iraq.