UK PM to discuss Afghan troops' cut

Britain's military force in Afghanistan could be almost halved during 2013 under options to be discussed by Prime Minister David Cameron and security chiefs next week, it was reported Friday. The Prime Minister will chair a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) this Tuesday which will consider the strategy for withdrawal - due to be complete by the end of 2014.One of the options on the table, the Guardian newspaper said, was to pull out 4,000 of the 9,000-strong contingent during 2013 and a similar number the following year.The newspaper said the accelerated withdrawal had the backing of at least two senior Cabinet ministers, in a bid to cut the costs of the decade-long campaign. It would be at odds, however, with the desire of Nato commanders who are pushing for significant reductions to be delayed until 2014. A middle option to be considered by the NSC would involve 2,500 troops leaving during 2013, the Guardian said. In the summer, Cameron announced the drawdown of a further 500 troops, cutting total force numbers to 9,000 by September 2012. He has repeatedly declared that there will be no British troops engaged in major combat operations after 2014 - the deadline for handover to Afghan security forces.The House of Commons Defence Committee has warned against any premature withdrawal of British troops, arguing that it could undermine the international coalition's strategy while dangerously weakening the remaining forces. A Government spokesman said: "We can confirm that the National Security Council will discuss Afghanistan next week to look at our approach up to and beyond 2014. This happens regularly in NSC discussions, as you would expect. "The Prime Minister has already said that 500 UK troops will leave Afghanistan by the end of next year and the Government has been clear that by the end of 2014, British troops will not be in Afghanistan in significant numbers or in a combat role. "The NSC discussions will take place within the context of the wider international effort. As the Foreign Secretary set out in Bonn this week, the international community will continue to support Afghanistan long after 2014 to help build national safety, security and prosperity." A total of 391 British troops have died since the start of operations in Afghanistan in 2001.