LONDON: Britain is to boost its troops in Afghanistan to 9,000 to help the country through upcoming elections, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Wednesday, unveiling a new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The British leader, who has just visited the region, underlined the threat from Al-Qaeda and its allies in both countries, and said Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari will visit Britain next month.
"It has become increasingly clear over the last year just how crucial Pakistan and its border area with Afghanistan has become both for stability in Afghanistan and to our national security at home," he said.
Britain, the second biggest part of a NATO-led forces in Afghanistan, had already announced an increase of its forces from 8,000 to 8,300 ahead of August elections, but Brown announced the further troops "until the autumn."
The British forces in Afghanistan would return to an "enduring presence" of 8,300 next year, Defence Secretary John Hutton said in a statement issued at the same time as Brown's announcement in the House of Commons.
"These units will provide important additional capabilities for UK forces in Afghanistan. The reinforcement of two infantry companies will enable us to provide extra security during the Afghan elections," he said.
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