200 Marines available for military campaign

The British Armed Forces Minister says 200 Royal Marine Commandos are immediately available for the US-led military campaign against Afghanistan.

Adam Ingram has told the House of Commons the men will remain in the Gulf on board HMS Fearless.

Mr Ingram says other assets will stay in the region including the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious and a submarine armed with Tomahawk missiles.

The destroyer HMS Southampton and frigate HMS Cornwall will also remain with the soldiers from 40 Commando, Royal Marines, when other troops return from exercises in Oman.

The minister says seven Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships and four support aircraft, consisting of Nimrod maritime patrol and Hercules transport planes will also stay in the Middle East.

Mr Ingram said the new configuration would allow considerable operational flexibility to accommodate changes of tempo in the war.

He added: "Our armed forces are special and we are deservedly proud of them. We ask a lot and they will not let us down."

Shadow defence secretary Bernard Jenkin has reaffirmed Tory support for the military campaign.

"To fail would be a fatal signal and encouragement to the terrorists and to those who sustain them, not just in Afghanistan but around the world," he said.

A total of 4,200 servicemen and women will be involved in the force. "It represents a major enhancement of the coalition's capability," said Mr Ingram.