Tories ‘will keep hitting Nato spending target’ says Theresa May – Telegraph.co.uk

The 15-year-long attempt to stabilise the country in the face of a Taliban-led insurgency needs a political solution, but bolstering Afghan forces would give the Kabul government a stronger hand, he told the Telegraph.

Nato commanders have said they need several thousand more troops as Afghan forces face heavy casualties, while the UN has warned President Ashraf Ghanis government is continuing to lose its grip on rural districts of the country.

Mr Stoltenberg said: We are now discussing the total troop levels and we are reaching out to all allies including all allies, including the UK, to generate the necessary forces.

A modest increase from allies will enable us to increase with a few thousand.

Sources have said the Prime Minister is likely to agree to a request for around 100 extra British troops, to join around 500 already stationed in Kabul.

Mr Stoltenberg said new troops will not be joining a combat mission he stressed, but more soldiers are needed to train and advise the Afghan army and police.

British troops are likely to be asked to expand their Afghan army officer training academy, nicknamed Sandhurst in the sand.

Mr Stoltenberg said: What we are now looking into is not a return to combat, but to adjust the level of forces training and helping them. It is important to understand the importance that the Afghans are now able to be in the front line. The Afghans are now able to fight the Taliban themselves.

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Tories 'will keep hitting Nato spending target' says Theresa May - Telegraph.co.uk