Britain to release details of troop deployment

Britain is expected to announce tomorrow the timing and extent of its deployment of ground troops in Afghanistan.

Britain is expected to announce tomorrow the timing and extent of its deployment of ground troops in Afghanistan.

"We expect a statement in the House tomorrow about the next move in how we deal with the situation in Afghanistan," a Ministry of Defense spokesman said.

Britain has 23,000 troops on a military exercise in the Omani desert - around 600 miles from Afghanistan - and speculation is growing some might be deployed alongside US forces against the Taliban.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Tony Blair said a decision on troop deployment would be made "very shortly."

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Minister for Defense Mr Geoff Hoon left tonight to visit the troops in Oman, where the exercises are due to conclude at the end of the month.