British troops could leave Afghanistan early

Up to 4,000 British troops could leave Afghanistan before the end of 2013 under proposals being put before David Cameron at a meeting of the National Security Council next week.

The Guardian has learned that a sharp acceleration in troop withdrawal is one of three options to be considered by the prime minister, and is understood to be favoured by at least two senior members of the cabinet, who want to cut the costs of the decade-long military campaign.

Under the proposal, the number of UK troops in Helmand province would be cut from 9,000 to 5,000 during 2013, and almost the same number would come out the following year – leaving a few hundred in Kabul when Nato ends its combat role in 2014.      More Read