UK to increase Afghanistan force

Mr Brown was updating MPs after visiting Afghanistan at the weekend

The number of British troops in Afghanistan will increase by 300, Gordon Brown has told MPs.

The prime minister, who visited the country at the weekend, said total deployment would rise to 8,300.

Mr Brown also called on some of Britain's allies to contribute more "fairly" to military efforts.

Efforts in Afghanistan were improving conditions. The Tories said a "realistic mission" was needed, rather than "transforming" the entire society.

'Hard year'

Mr Brown said the increased number of troops had been approved until next August.

He said: "It's been a hard year for our soldiers but it's been a much harder year for our enemies, who found they cannot defeat us."

Mr Brown said Afghan national income had risen by 70% and that refugees were coming back to the country.

But he called for "proper burden-sharing" among the 41 coalition countries in Afghanistan.

He added that the "burden is not always shared equally. It's vital that all members of the coalition contribute fairly".

A Nato meeting next April would discuss the issue, he added.

Conservative leader David Cameron said the UK and its allies had to avoid setting "unrealistic" expectations for the Afghanistan mission.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said any efforts to establish peace would need a "regional agreement", with Nato countries talking to China, Russia and Iran.