Afghanistan: Cameron convenes conflict Council

The Prime Minister convened the Government's National Security Council (NSC) at Chequers, his country retreat, for what was described by Downing Street as an "extended session" on the conflict.

The gathering followed the first visit to Afghanistan by members of the new administration the weekend before last.

And it came on the day that a US general took over command in Helmand province, where most of the UK's 10,000-strong deployment are based.

The Government has repeatedly stressed the high importance it is attaching to Afghanistan and its support for the US-led Nato strategy in the country.

The death of a Royal Marine at the weekend took the number of UK troops who have died there since 2001 to 289.

After the meeting, a Downing Street spokesman said: "There were wide-ranging, intensive and productive discussions during the extended session on this, the Government's top foreign policy priority.

"The Prime Minister and the NSC expressed their great admiration and support for our troops serving in Afghanistan and paid tribute to the essential contribution that they and their civilian colleagues make.

"The NSC will now continue its work to ensure that the UK does all it can to support the agreed Nato strategy in Afghanistan to succeed."

Mr Cameron also spoke to Afghan President Hamid Karzai about the peace "jirga" of elders that is due to start today.

The talks will include proposals for opening peace talks with some elements of the Taliban.