Britain’s most senior general in Afghanistan has cautioned against any significant troop withdrawal until late next year.
General James Bucknall, who is deputy to US General David Petraeus in Afghanistan, said the coalition had to hold on to recent gains, and should not send “conflicting signals” about its commitment.
The intervention comes amid debate over when the military surge implemented by US President Barack Obama should be wound down.
Earlier this month Prime Minister David Cameron announced that around 450 UK personnel are to be pulled out by the end of the year, and there have been hints that further cuts could follow.
The elimination of Osama bin Laden has added impetus to calls for operations to be scaled back.
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