More British marines in Afghanistan

Up to 30 additional British Marines were today arriving in Bagram, Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said.

The troops, who were due to arrive at 4.30am local time, will join around 300 soldiers currently serving at Bagram airport.

‘‘They are performing a range of tasks including patrols and repairing airfields,’’ a MoD spokesman said.

Between 20 and 30 Marines were flying to Bagram overnight, he added.

The airport is being prepared for the arrival of a UN-sponsored peacekeeping force for Afghanistan.

The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was authorised by the UN Security Council during November’s Bonn conference on the future of Afghanistan.