Afghanistan

Paul Rowen
13. To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of progress made by troops in Afghanistan towards securing their objectives.

Des Browne
The International Security Assistance Force continues to make good progress in terms of defeating the threat posed by the Taliban, enhancing the authority of the Government of Afghanistan and improving the capabilities of the Afghan Security Forces. However, military action alone cannot solve the many long-term problems facing Afghanistan and ISAF forces work closely with the Government of Afghanistan, civilian organisations and coalition partners to ensure that we continue to make progress in our reconstruction and development efforts.

Mr. Bone
18. To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Afghanistan.

Des Browne
The security situation in Afghanistan is stable, if fragile in places. The Afghan National Army and troops from the 40-nation International Security Assistance Force have achieved significant tactical success against the Taliban in 2007 and early 2008.

Mr. Holloway
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Afghanistan.

Des Browne
The security situation in Afghanistan is stable, if fragile in places. The Afghan National Army and troops from the 40-nation International Security Assistance Force have achieved significant tactical success against the Taliban in 2007 and early 2008.