Afghanistan war 'worth the effort'

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Joe Biden stressed the current ongoing offensive against the Taliban was worth the effort, and was a "pre-requisite" to get the country ready for democratic elections later this year.

In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme Mr Biden said: "In terms of the national interests of Great Britain and the national interests of the United States and Europe, it is worth the effort we are making and the sacrifice that is being felt and more will come."

He added: "This is the season in which the trees are up in the mountains again, people are able to infiltrate from the hills of Pakistan. In Helmand Province where the Taliban has had free reign for the past number of years we are engaging them now.

"As those encounters occur that haven't occurred before, there is likely to be additional casualties. But it is a prerequisite for us to be able to get to the point where we can secure a free election at the end of the summer in Afghanistan."

He declined to become involved in the political row over whether the military has the numbers and the equipment it needs, but he praised British soldiers as among the "best trained and the bravest warriors in the world".

And in what may be interpreted by some as critical comments on British strategy in Helmand, he said the Taliban had been allowed "free reign for the past number of years".

Mr Biden was speaking as the 19th British serviceman to be killed in Afghanistan this month is expected to be named.

Mr Biden said he did not want to comment on claims that British soldiers do not have adequate equipment. But he said: "I have witnessed British troops in combat in the Balkans, in Iraq, I have not physically seen them in combat, but I have been to their bases in Afghanistan.

"I think they are among the best trained and the bravest warriors in the world. I am not in a position to make a judgment as to whether or not the weapons inventory, the equipment they have, is all they need. I assume it is, I am just not prepared to comment on that."