British Prime Minister David Cameron arrived in Afghanistan on Wednesday, Afghan officials said.
Cameron flew into the southern city of Lashkar Gar, capital of Helmand province, where British forces are based. “He met with provincial officials including the police chief and acting governor,” provincial police spokesman Farid Ahmad Farhang told AFP.
They discussed the transition of security responsibilities as Britain, and its NATO allies, prepare to withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of 2014, he said. Cameron is expected to meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul during his visit. Britain has around 9,500 troops in Afghanistan, making it the second-largest contributor to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force after the United States.
London has previously announced plans for most of its troops to be withdrawn by the end of 2014, with 500 coming home by the end of 2012 and the rest gradually withdrawn over 2013 and 2014. The Sun newspaper reported this week that ministers including finance minister George Osborne want a faster withdrawal, believing that completing the pull-out it by the end of 2013 could save the government £3 billion ($4.7 billion).
Military chiefs reportedly oppose the move, saying it would risk hard-won gains. Cameron’s spokesman said on Tuesday that no decisions had been taken on the timing yet but that the drawdown would be “steady and measured” and discussed in coming months. The timing will also be discussed with Britain’s ISAF allies, the spokesman said.
