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The British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is expected to confirm |
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that he is sending hundreds more troops to Afghanistan, |
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bringing the total number of British troops there to about 9,500. |
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Britain has the second largest NATO contingent in Afghanistan |
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after the United States. |
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Our defense correspondent Caroline Wyatt reports. |
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In his statement on Afghanistan, |
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it's believed Mr. Brown will say he's agreed in principle |
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to send around 500 extra British troops to Helmand. |
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The military advice says that extra forces are needed |
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to help maintain progress |
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and dominate the ground more effectively |
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to keep the Taliban out of key areas. |
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However, there will be caveats. |
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The Prime Minister will want assurances from military chiefs |
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that the extra troops will be properly equipped. |
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But he'll also expect Britain's NATO partners to follow suit |
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by offering more forces themselves. |
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NATO defense ministers are likely to discuss troop levels |
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on a meeting formally in Bratislava next week. |
