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Afghanistan: The commander of British forces in Afghanistan said yesterday that he has asked for more equipment, and hinted that he may also ask for additional troops. "I have put in requests, which are being considered back in London as we speak, to take account of the changing circumstances," Brig. Ed Butler said in an interview with British Broadcasting Corp. radio. Two British soldiers died in combat in Afghanistan over the weekend, raising Britain's death toll in recent operations to five. Asked whether he wanted more troops, Butler said commanders wanted more resources "but I'm pragmatic about what we have got." "In terms of force levels, we constantly keep those under review and I am confident that if I asked for more and there are some requests which are in staff in process London would listen to those requests," Butler said.
Prime Minister Tony Blair's office said it had received no request for additional troops. "Any request will come from commanders on the ground and if there is a case for more resources that is an internal military decision that will take place," said Blair's official spokesman. Published reports suggested that extra troops were in the pipeline. The Guardian newspaper, citing unidentified sources, reported yesterday that extra infantry would replace 800 engineers who had finished building a British camp.
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