British forces in Afghanistan could be increased to deal with continued Taliban threat, minister hints

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Defence secretary Des Browne has hinted that force levels in Afghanistan could be increased to meet the continuing threat from the Taliban.

During a trip to the frontline in Helmand province, Mr Browne admitted that British troops were already 'stretched' by the operations on two fronts in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

Last night the Ministry of Defence refused to comment on reports that the military top brass are calling for the number of troops in Afghanistan to be almost doubled from 8,200 to 14,000.

In an interview with the BBC's World at One, he said: 'The force level that we have in Afghanistan is one that was placed there on advice to do the job that we want it to do.

'And I have, twice or three times now, increased that force level. I am willing to do that if that's the military advice.'

Military leaders have complained in recent months that British troops are being overstretched by being forced to fight two wars, in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Yesterday Mr Browne admitted: 'We are, I think, being stretched by the fact we have two medium-sized operations going on. I don't make any bones about that.'

But, despite these problems, he denied the force in Iraq would be reduced simply to meet the need for more troops in Afghanistan.

There have been 17 casualties in the country since the start of June, and Mr Browne paid tribute to the sacrifices of troops.

'The troops out here have had a very difficult June and July: those have been tough months for them and we have been paid a high price over those months for the progress we have made,' he said.