The Prime Minister has hailed the efforts of British forces in Afghanistan who helped to ensure the safety of people voting in the presidential elections.
Afghan and international troops were on patrol today following threats from the Taliban to disrupt the elections.
Despite isolated incidents of violence in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand Province, many people defied the danger to cast their vote.
Speaking to the BBC in his constituency, the Prime Minister said:
“What we are seeing is the first elections that Afghanistan has organised for itself in 30 years. But what we have also seen is a massive attempt by terrorists to disrupt the electoral process, to prevent people from voting, indeed to intimidate people from voting and I want to thank our British forces for everything that they have done to make sure that these elections can take place. This has been a very difficult summer, with major sacrifices and major losses as a result of the campaign by the terrorists.”
He added that the security of Britain is dependent on having stability in Afghanistan.
The final results of the election are set to be announced on 17 September, although it is expected that preliminary results will emerge up to two weeks earlier.
Read news from Ministry of Defence, Foreign Office and DFID on the Afghan elections
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