KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Prime Minister Gordon Brown, on a surprise visit Saturday to Afghanistan, suggested more troops might be sent while pushing a strategy to reduce British forces.
Brown's two-pronged strategy involves efforts at reconciliation with the Taliban or parts of it and swifter training for Afghan forces so they can take over from NATO troops, The Guardian reported.
At a British base in Helmand Province, Brown promised President Hamid Karzai and his chief rival in the recent election, whose results are not yet official, that Britain will send thousands more soldiers to Afghanistan.
The British government suggested reconciliation as a strategy several weeks ago, at least with members of the Taliban willing to give up armed struggle against the Afghan government.
"A large part of the Taliban are not really committed to their agenda," a diplomatic source in Helmand province told the Guardian. "They are fighting for tactical reasons and can be brought back into mainstream life."
The war has become increasingly unpopular in Britain as the death toll rises. More than 200 British soldiers have now been killed.
Brown also met with Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, the BBC said.
