Cameron pledges cabinet-level review of British policy in Afghanistan

Patrick Wintour, Political editor
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 18 September 2012 16.01 EDT

David Cameron responded to Nato disarray over its approach to mentoring Afghan security forces by telling the cabinet that he plans a full-scale cabinet-level review of British policy in Afghanistan soon after the US elections in November.

His commitment to a review, including the timetable for the withdrawal of British combat troops by the end of 2014, comes as Conservative MPs become increasingly critical of the way in which British troops are being exposed to danger only to face attacks from Afghan security forces.

Senior Tory MPs openly predicted that British withdrawal will be followed by a civil war, an admission that the Taliban will not be suppressed.

The defence secretary, Philip Hammond, was forced to go before the Commons for the second day in succession to clarify the UK's approach to supporting Afghan troops, following reports that joint patrols and training had been suspended in response to a wave of attacks on Isaf forces.

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