Brown hails France's stance on war

10:40pm Wednesday 20th August 2008

Gordon Brown has praised President Nicolas Sarkozy's determination to carry on in Afghanistan, despite the loss of 10 French soldiers in a Taliban ambush.

The Prime Minister said that he had written to Mr Sarkozy expressing his "sadness" after France unexpectedly suffered its heaviest losses of the Afghan campaign.

"I think we should admire the resolve of the President of France to continue with their troop deployment despite these casualties," he told reporters as he headed off for the Olympics in Beijing.

Mr Brown said that commanders had always expected the Taliban to mount a summer offensive against the coalition forces in Afghanistan.

He said that they were increasingly turning to guerilla tactics, such as roadside bombs and suicide attacks, rather than direct confrontation with coalition forces.

"I think we know that we have got to be prepared at a time when we are fighting a very difficult campaign for anything that may happen," he said.

"We are also doing everything in our power to protect and ensure the safety of our own forces."

He acknowledged that commanders needed more resources - including helicopters and ground support.

However, he played down the prospect of deploying more British troops, saying that he wanted to see greater "burden-sharing" by other members of the Nato alliance.

"My own view is that other countries have a contribution to make as well," he said.

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