More British troops for Afghanistan

Des Browne said in London on Friday that Britain has decided to send more British troops to the turbulent southern Helmand province because efforts to get more help from Nato partners such as Germany, France, Italy and Spain had failed.

Media reports on Friday suggested that more than 1,000 extra troops will be sent.

Browne did not specify a figure or say when they would go but a statement was to be given to parliament on Monday.

ISAF has 32,000 troops in Afghanistan but troops from countries including Britain, the US, Canada, Denmark and the Netherlands have borne the brunt of violence in the south.

'Trying hard'

"We have been trying hard to get other nations to live up to the joint commitment Nato made to Afghanistan and provide more forces, forces which are authorised to fight," Browne said in a statement.

"We will continue to press. But we must be realistic. We have decided that it is right for the United Kingdom to provide some additional forces for the southern region."

Britain has the second-largest contingent in the 37-nation Nato-led International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) and has already increased its troop numbers several times.

With a renewed spring offensive from the Taliban expected, Browne said more troops were vital in places like Helmand but a lack of reinforcements put at risk gains made since the Taliban were ousted from power in 2001.

Iraq pullback

The confirmation comes two days after Tony Blair, the UK prime minister, said 1,600 British troops in southern Iraq will be withdrawn in the coming months.

Opposition politicians suggested the reduction was announced because it was the only way for an over-stretched military to reinforce its numbers in Afghanistan.

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