Brown’s favour to Obama: 800 troops off to war

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Gordon Brown's decision comes after President Barack Obama today called for EU nations to provide more help to the United States in the region.

The Prime Minister is due to tell Nato leaders tomorrow that Britain is prepared to increase the number of its forces in the country to about 9,000.

Mr Brown is expected to insist that the extra soldiers will only be sent if other nations increase their commitments in the battle against the Taliban and al Qaeda. However, there will be no extra French troops. The British reinforcement in Helmand province is expected to be temporary and is aimed at increasing security during presidential elections this summer.

A source told The Standard: "A democratic Afghanistan will mean more security on the streets of London and the rest of the country. We do not want to allow the Taliban to disrupt the democratic process in Afghanistan."

Defence Secretary John Hutton is said to be confident that leaders of other Nato countries, meeting today at a summit in Strasbourg, will offer extra resources for the mission in Afghanistan.