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British action in Afghanistan is inflicting “long lasting damage” to al Qaeda's leadership, Gordon Brown said today.
The Prime Minister used a speech to fend off pressure for a withdrawal by claiming the results of military efforts were just bearing fruit.
“Since January 2008 seven of the top dozen figures in al Qaeda have been killed, depleting its reserve of experienced leaders and sapping morale,” Mr Brown was to say in his annual Guildhall foreign policy speech tonight.
“And our security forces report to me that there is now an opportunity to inflict significant and long lasting damage to al Qaeda.”
Mr Brown will also confirm he is planning a Nato summit in London to put together an exit strategy for Afghanistan, including a timetable for handing over districts to local forces.
Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president, will be invited in January with senior military commanders, diplomats and foreign ministers from the US and other allies. The conference is hoped to have a galvanising effect on the war after a period of uncertainty, just as this year's G20 summit in London led to a united approach on the economy.
Mr Brown will also use the summit to increase pressure on Nato allies, particularly in Europe, to send more troops and military resources. In his speech tonight he will say: “I want that conference to chart a comprehensive political framework within which the military strategy can be accomplished.” Mr Brown's plans suggest a withdrawal of British forces could begin in 2011, providing handovers go to plan.
He will say the allies have had success against al Qaeda. Mr Brown is to send 500 more troops to the region, taking the total to about 10,000.
Another sombre day at RAF Lyneham
A coffin carrying the body of Rifleman Samuel Bassett, 20, killed in Afghanistan, arrived at RAF Lyneham today.
He and Rifleman Philip Allen, also brought home, were victims of separate roadside bombs while patrolling in Helmand.
Rifleman Bassett was from Plymouth, and Rifleman Allen, 20, from Dorset.
Reader views (16)
Oh, well thats okay then!
- Gary, London, 16/11/2009 18:00
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"Brown: Afghan war is sapping al Qaeda morale"
-Not as much as the incumbency of your stinking, Britain hating government is sapping ours!
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 16/11/2009 15:10
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Natos presence should be permanent until the Afghan Army are 100% capable of defending themselves,and that will be a long time,and besides anything else Afghanistan is a good training ground for NATO troops.If NATO withdraws before the job is complete,in one year the Taliban would be in control of Afghanistan,from there they can export there sickness to the rest of the world!and nuclear armed Pakistan would be the first to fall to them,of course the rest of the world would not let that happen,and NATO would have to return and fight a well armed and much more power full enemy. All this talk of we cant beat them is defeatist nonsense,and its this attitude that will defeat NATO not the Taliban,every enemy is deflatable with the will and the right strategy,but that is being undermined by defeatists in soft fat under belly Europe.Take a reality check comfortable well healed Europe.
- Kev, London-UK, 16/11/2009 14:10
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Perhaps he should get "elf and safety" to do a retrospective "risk assessment" and put the onus on them to pull the troops out. Don't our beloved leaders read history books. He should have known he was on a hiding to nowhere going into Afghanistan. And also have they not heard of video conferencing. I think Mr Brown is hoping it will have a "galvanising" effect on his leadership - hosting a "Nato" conference. I think not.
- Patricia, LONDON, 16/11/2009 14:02
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First things first. IMO the nation needs an 'Exit' strategy for Labour first. I suggest a something called a 'General Election' should do the job nicely.
Then to really make McRuin really popular I suggest he join 'Exit' and undergo one of their recommended procedures. Let the rest of us worry about Afghanistan.
- Ethan, UK, 16/11/2009 12:32
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What a great idea: invade a country and then 8 years later try and work out a strategy for why you are there and how to get out.
Yet another fine mess to be cleared up by the next government.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one, 16/11/2009 11:43
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What a brilliant idea.
Do you think anyone'll come?
- Major Plonquer, Tottering, Herts, 16/11/2009 11:26
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Its marvelllous what a forthcoming general election can do. I totally agree with Reuben, this is a war we can never win, despite how many troops we throw at it. Read the history books if you want to know why. I well understand the view point that many lives will have been lost in vain; but what is the point of losing many more good people when the outcome is clear. If you want to blame anyone, blame Bush and Blair for starting this fiasco. We should have left after Alqieda was thrown out of Afghanistan. Brown is spinning lies that terrorist plots in this country eminate from Afghanistan, they don`t, they come from Pakistan. Time to leave folks however much that may hurt our pride. Brown is only following public opinion.
- Brian G, Norfolk Gorleston, 16/11/2009 11:03
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People who think this war can be won are either naive or deluded.
The Soviets, a superpower at the time, fought them for nine years and lost. We send out a some poorly equiped troops from our little Island and think we can win.
People in this country need a serious reality check.
- Dc, London, 16/11/2009 11:00
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Nato has a headquarters in Brussels. Let them meet there.
- Maggie, Borehamwood, UK, 16/11/2009 10:43
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If Brown thinks producing another three ring circus consisting of lavish hospitality and photo opportunities will change voting intentions I think he's got another think coming.
- Maggie, Borehamwood, UK, 16/11/2009 10:42
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But none of the world leaders care what Brown has to say, they're just waiting for him to be booted out, so why host it?
- St, London, 16/11/2009 10:35
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I don´t agree with Reuben Camara. This war can be won if enough troops are put in on the ground with the right equipment to finish the job (helicopters, etc). I don´t like to read about British soldiers losing their lives, but if we talk about an exit strategy before finishing the job, then those lives will have been lost in vain. We must not allow the Taliban to sap our will.
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands, 16/11/2009 10:15
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Talk is cheap with this Prime Minister. It appears we have a sound bite every ten minutes on what he is (or not) gonig to do!
- Tojo, Hythe Kent, 16/11/2009 10:04
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Then they have won and the lives lost will be in vain. You cannot win unless theyare defeated. This does not seem to be the case.
- Simon, Bucharest, Romania, 16/11/2009 09:25
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A war the West cannot win.
Talk is cheap.
British soldiers should never have been sent to Afghanistan in the first place.
- Reuben Camara, Plot 1, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR, 16/11/2009 09:16
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