Cameron visits Afghanistan

David Cameron flew into Afghanistan today for his first visit to the country since taking office.

The British Prime Minister was holding talks with President Hamid Karzai in the capital, Kabul.

Since assuming the premiership a month ago, Mr Cameron has been determined to stress that the country – where 10,000 British troops are engaged in fighting the Taliban – is his number one foreign policy priority.

Mr Cameron has already met Mr Karzai once, at his country residence, Chequers, as well as speaking to him by telephone.

He also despatched a high-level ministerial delegation – comprising Foreign Secretary William Hague, Defence Secretary Liam Fox and International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell – to assess the situation for themselves.

Mr Cameron’s visit was being seen in Whitehall as rounding off a period of assessment and taking stock.

It is not thought that the new coalition government is facing any immediate decisions in relation to Britain’s military commitment in the country.

Earlier this week, following talks with US Defence Secretary Robert Gates, Dr Fox made clear that he had no plans to switch British forces from Helmand - where the bulk are deployed – to Kandahar where the Americans are preparing a major offensive.

President Barak Obama has given US commander General Stanley McChrystal until the end of the year to assess whether his troop “surge” is working and when they can start drawing down forces.