More British troops arrive in Kabul

More British troops arrived in Kabul today as extended negotiations finally resulted in an agreement on how international peacekeeping forces will operate under Afghanistan’s new government.

A convoy carrying about 70 British soldiers drove into the Afghan capital to reinforce an initial deployment that has patrolled the city and provided security to an interim government sworn in on December 22.

The country’s interim foreign minister, Dr Abdullah Abdullah would not provide further details about the deal reached yesterday and said only that foreign troops are permitted to defend themselves.