Afghanistan: Security

Question

Asked by

Baroness Northover
To ask Her Majesty's Government what their criteria are for achieving sustainable security in (a) Sangin, and (b) Afghanistan. [HL407]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown)
Sustainable security in Afghanistan can only be provided through the co-ordinated delivery of military and civil effect. UK and Afghan forces provide security to allow reconstruction, development, reconciliation and political engagement to take place. In Helmand the UK-led Civilian Military Mission works with Task Force Helmand and the Afghan National Security Forces to provide a secure environment to allow stabilisation activity to take place. The UK focuses stabilisation activity on five district centres in Helmand—Lashkar Gah, Sangin, Gereskh, Garmsir and Musa Qala.