Britain is to send some 800 extra soldiers to Afghanistan to bring the total UK deployment in Helmand province to 5,800, it was announced today.
British soldiers have faced fierce resistance from Taliban militia in Helmand, where most of its 46 deaths in Afghanistan have been suffered.
Britain's presence in the Afghan capital Kabul is to be reduced by around 500, however, as it hands over command of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force to the United States this weekend.
The result will be an increase of approximately 300 in the overall British commitment to the country, which currently stands at 6,000, said the Military of Defence.
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Agencies