Brown vows to push ahead with ‘vital’ Afghan mission
The British prime minister said news that the grim milestone had been reached, after the 200th and 201st soldiers lost their lives on Saturday was “deeply tragic”.
But he told reporters: “In these moments of sorrow and sadness, we must never forget why we are in Afghanistan and why people are making the sacrifice that they are making.”
Amid controversy over equipment levels for UK forces – particularly helicopters – Brown also stressed that the Government would provide support.
Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama’s special envoy to Pakistan has praised the country’s “very significant” progress in taking back key territory from the Taliban and promised more weapons for the fight against extremists close to the Afghan border.
Richard Holbrooke began an official visit yesterday, his first since the reported death of the militants’ leader, Baitullah Mehsud, in a CIA missile strike on August 5.
His visit coincides with threats from the Taliban to attack polling centres in the key southern province of Kandahar, a warning likely to have a chilling effect on potential voters in this week’s presidential election.
Afghans will select a president and members of provincial councils on Thursday.
