Britain ready to send more troops to Afghanistan.

Summary: The Foreign Secretary has said Allied troops must stay in Afghanistan to prevent the Taliban filling any "vacuum".

The Foreign Secretary has said Allied troops must stay in Afghanistan to prevent the Taliban filling any "vacuum".

David Miliband told delegates at the Nato Parliamentary Assembly in Edinburgh that Britain would be "ready" to send more troops as part of an agreed strategy.

He said: "I, as much as anyone else, want to bring our troops back home to safety. But we cannot leave a vacuum which the Taliban will quickly fill, and under their umbrella, al-Qaeda quickly follow.

"Counter-terrorism may deal with symptoms, it brings short-term success. But only a comprehensive strategy can deal with the causes and ensure that when we leave, we do so knowing that we will not have to return."

Calling for allied support for Nato's operations, he said: "We will succeed in Afghanistan only if our military resources and development assistance are aligned behind a clear political strategy.

Mr Miliband continued: "Our goal is not to fight to the death. It is to demonstrate clearly that they cannot win and to provide a way back into their communities for those who are willing to live peacefully."

Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

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