‘More’ UK troops home this year

William Hague praised “progress” in parts of Afghanistan

Foreign Secretary William Hague says the UK will work with the Afghan people “for many years to come”.

Mr Hague, in Afghanistan for a three-day visit, was speaking as US President Barack Obama is expected to announce troop withdrawals this year.

All UK troops will have been withdrawn from combat roles by 2015.

Mr Hague said there was more to do in security and reconciliation, as well as making economic progress and fighting corruption.

He said he had seen “positive changes” in Lashkar Gah, which he visited during a joint trip with the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan.

“Undoubtedly there will be difficulties ahead, but the confident Afghan security leadership I was able to witness is greatly encouraging, not only for Afghanistan’s security but also for our own,” he said.

“The [Operational Command and Co-ordination Centre] leads on security in central Lashkar Gah with UK and international partners’ support, this role will continue to develop throughout transition,” he said.

Meanwhile, President Obama is due to make make a nationwide TV address to unveil plans to pull a reported 10,000 troops out of Afghanistan this year.

President Obama briefed Prime Minister David Cameron beforehand on the phone regarding his statement.

Speaking from the White House at 2000 local time (0100 BST Thursday), Mr Obama is expected to say 30,000 US “surge” troops will leave by 2013.

The US currently has about 100,000 troops in Afghanistan overall.

Divisions remain within the Obama administration over the size and speed of the pullout.

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