Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday prepared the ground for a pre-election announcement of troop withdrawals from Afghanistan next year, The Times reports.

During a lightning visit to the front line in Helmand province, he announced plans to double a training programme for the Afghan army to reduce its reliance on British and American troops. “Stepping that up means the Afghans themselves take responsibility for their own affairs,” Brown said.

He also hinted that there could be a temporary increase in UK troops to support and mentor local forces, with government sources suggesting that Taliban fighters could even be granted an “amnesty” in the effort to bring the conflict to a close.

The announcement will be interpreted by opposition politicians as an attempt to lay the groundwork for a highprofile commitment next year to begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan.

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