Hoon warns British muslims against joining Taliban

British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon is warning British Muslims not to try to go to Afghanistan to fight against the US-led coalition.

Mr Hoon says any Britons who join the Taliban ranks could face death in Afghanistan or legal action in Britain if they manage to return.

His comments follow reports three British Muslims who went to join the Taliban were killed in US air strikes on Kabul.

"I would hope that anyone who is contemplating going to Afghanistan does think very carefully about the consequences both to them and their families in terms of the grief they may suffer as well as the legal action that might follow on their return if they were to return," he told a Ministry of Defence news conference.

Mr Hoon says the US-led air strikes are having an effect on the Taliban and the coalition is prepared to continue the action as long as necessary.

"This campaign will last as long as it takes. Nobody should be in any doubt that we are prepared to see it through. The objectives will be met in full," he said.

He acknowledges it may be some time before Royal Marine commandos on stand-by in the Gulf would be ready to take part in operations in Afghanistan.

He says marines of 40 Commando, who will form the lead element of any British deployment, had just completed three months of arduous military exercises in Oman.

"They will need some time to prepare for further operations," he said.

"They are ready to go as soon as that necessary preparation has been completed. It is necessary to prepare any soldiers that are going to go in to a demanding difficult situation for the specific task they are going to face."