Xinhua - English

KABUL, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Visiting British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said on Wednesday that there was no link between the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq and the deployment of more troops to Afghanistan.

There was no link between the reconfiguration of British troops in Iraq and sending more troops to Afghanistan, Beckett said at a joint press conference with her Afghan counterpart Rangin Dadfar Spanta.

"It is not a matter simply of moving troops from an area to another," Beckett said, adding "The reconfiguration about (British)troops in Iraq has been made on the base of the changing situation on the ground."

Britain announced on Feb. 21 that it would withdraw 1,600 troops from southern Iraq in the coming months, reducing its soldiers there to 5,500. And on Feb. 26, it said on it would send another 1,400 soldiers to Afghanistan in addition to its 6,300-strong forces there.

It would be the first time the number of British troops deployed in Afghanistan surpassed that of those serving in Iraq since the Iraq war broke out in March 2003.

Some analysts said the continuously worsening security in Iraq made Britain redeploy some of its troops from Iraq to Afghanistan. In this way, Britain can not only reduce its risk in Iraq, but strengthen its anti-terror war in Afghanistan, which Britain and its allies can't afford to lose.

Beckett apparently disagreed with the above view. She insisted at the press conference that Britain cut its troops in Iraq only because Iraqi security forces were becoming more and more capable of keeping local security themselves.

Beckett also reaffirmed her country's commitment to Afghanistan, saying Britain would continue its aid in the anti-terror war, anti-narcotics, health, education and so on.

It was Beckett's first visit to this country, during which she also met Afghan President Hamid Karzai and some NATO senior commanders.

LONDON, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- British Defense Secretary Des Brown confirmed on Monday that the country is to send an additional 1,300 troops to south Afghanistan.

The extra troops will include an infantry battalion from the Royal Welsh Regiment and a detachment of Warrior armored cars from the 1st Battalion, The Scots Guards, Sky news reported on Monday afternoon.

More artillery and aircraft will also be deployed with the additional troops.

Blair: Britain to cut 1,600 troops in Iraq

LONDON, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Britain announced a major withdrawal from Iraq on Wednesday, as thousands of additional U.S. soldiers are arriving in the war-torn country.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, whose popularity at home has plummeted for his unwavering support for Bush over Iraq, said British troop levels in southern Iraq would be reduced from 7,100 to 5,500 in coming months.