The UK will do more to help Afghanistan improve its police and armed forces and will increase its aid contribution to the country by almost $140 million to boost teaching and communications, the PM has said.
At a press conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul, Mr Brown said that the UK would “play its part” in mentoring the Afghan army, whose numbers are expected to rise from 60,000 to a projected 120,000, and its police.
The UK will also give an extra $120 million in development assistance, including funding for teachers, and around $17 million to help build radio communications in Helmand to counter Taliban broadcasting.
The PM said:
“We are truly resolute in our determination to support this new democracy of Afghanistan,” he said.
“We will not relax our efforts to support the reconstruction of Afghanistan because we understand that what happens in Afghanistan affects the rest of the world.”
Mr Brown said that advice was also being given to help Afghanistan develop its local and national government administration.
Earlier in the day the PM visited British troops at the main UK base of Camp Bastion in Helmand province.
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