LONDON
The British government will withdraw its remaining five thousand troops from Afghanistan by the end of next year, says British Prime Minister David Cameron during a pre-Christmas visit to the British combat forces at the UK base - camp Bastion - in Helmand province,.
Cameron said that British troops, 446 who have lost their lives since the operation began in 2001, can "come home with their heads held high."
In regards to the British government's promise to withdraw British troops from Afghanistan, Cameron said, "The timetable for the withdrawal of British troops is a plan that we will stick to. I said, back in 2010, that after the end of 2014 there would not be British troops in a combat role and we will stick to that."
The ongoing withdrawal of British troops next year will be paused in an effort to maintain stability in the country during the elections on April 5th. Some UK troops are also expected to remain in Afghanistan in order to provide security training for Afghan forces after 2014.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
