LONDON, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown delivered a speech to Parliament Wednesday addressing plans for the ongoing role of British troops in Afghanistan.
Brown detailed top priorities for what he called Afghan ownership of police and security among other long-term political and economic developments.
"Britain will continue to fulfill our obligations to the Afghan people and the international community," Brown said in a statement. "We will support the Afghan army, police and government as they progressively take over greater responsibility for their own security. And we will work with our international partners and help the Afghans themselves strengthen their stability, foster democracy, and build prosperity."
Brown also addressed the continuing fight against terrorist elements that pose a threat to the security of Afghanistan.
Brown announced that the British Ministry of Defense plans to order 150 additional specialist and protected vehicles for the Afghanistan theater in an initiative to greater protect British troops.
"This is excellent news and it will increase the numbers of helicopters and the range of protected vehicles available to our forces and those who work alongside them on operations," Brown said. "Between Treasury and Ministry of Defense investment, we have made significant improvements to protection for our forces in Afghanistan and Iraq."
