David Cameron gives backing to US strategy in Afghanistan

Published on Monday 7 June 2010 22:40

PRIME Minister David Cameron restated his support for the American strategy in Afghanistan when he met US defence secretary Robert Gates for talks in Downing Street yesterday.

High on the agenda was the outcome of last week's peace meeting in Kabul, at which Afghan president Hamid Karzai sought the backing of provincial, religious, tribal and other leaders for a plan to negotiate with the Taleban.

The meeting at No 10 came ahead of talks today between Mr Gates and Defence Secretary Liam Fox.

Last month's programme for government committed the Tory-Liberal Democrat coalition to "maintain a strong, close and frank relationship with the United States" and to "safeguard the UK's national security and support our armed forces in Afghanistan and elsewhere".

A spokesman for Mr Cameron's office said yesterday: "The Prime Minister reiterated UK support for US strategy, including the plan progressively to transition security responsibilities to the government of Afghanistan as their capacity develops."

It said Mr Cameron and Mr Gates had also agreed on the need to secure early agreement at the United Nations on fresh sanctions against Iran if it failed to meet international demands over its nuclear programme.