Britain's Afghanistan Combat Mission 'To End in 2014'

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Source: Inthenews(UK)

Britain hopes to withdraw combat troops from Afghanistan within five years, it was revealed yesterday.

At a Foreign Office briefing in central London the UK's ambassador to Kabul said it was hoped the British combat military presence could be phased out by 2014.

More than 9,000 UK combat troops are currently in Afghanistan ahead of the country's presidential elections later this month, the first Afghan-led elections in 30 years.

Mark Sedwill told journalists he hoped that by the time of the next elections, coalition troops will have moved to a training role for Afghan soldiers.

"We very much hope we won't have western troops in combat roles five years from now," the ambassador said.

"That said; we will have people in training and mentoring roles for many years."

more: http://www.inthenews.co.uk/news/news/defence/britain-s-afghanistan-combat-mission-to-end-in-2014--$1316966.htm