Labour hails troop pull-out from Afghanistan

Mr Cameron stressed his commitment to ending the UK’s combat role in the conflict by 2015 but said force levels would be reduced from 9,500 to 9,000 by the end of 2012.

The Government had already announced a reduction of 426 troops by February 2012.

Labour leader Ed Miliband welcomed the plans to maintain force levels above 9,000 for “this fighting season and the next”.

In a statement to the Commons following a two-day visit to Kabul and Helmand, Mr Cameron said Afghanistan would assume lead security responsibility by the end of 2014.

The UK had been under pressure to follow the example of US President Barack Obama, who announced last month that 10,000 troops deployed as part of the so-called “surge” strategy would be coming home by the end of this year, and another 23,000 next.

Mr Cameron told MPs: “At the time of the US surge, the UK increased its core force levels by an extra 500. For our part, I have already said we will withdraw 426 UK military personnel by February 2012.

“And today I can announce that the UK will be able to reduce its force levels by a further 500 from 9,500 to 9,000 by the end of 2012.

“This decision has been agreed by the National Security Council on the advice of our military commanders. These reductions reflect the progress being made in building up the ANSF (Afghan National Security Forces).

“Indeed it is worth noting that for every US soldier who leaves as the surge is removed, two Afghans will actually take their place.”

Mr Cameron added: “Having taken such a huge share of the burden and having performed so magnificently for a decade, the country needs to know that there is an end point to the level of our current commitment and to our combat operations.

Mr Miliband said: “This year and next we must maintain the combination of military pressure, accelerated build up of the Afghan security forces and work on basic governance and justice.

“So let me say I support the Prime Minister’s plan to maintain British troop levels above 9,000 as they have been for the last two years for this fighting season and the next.

“This will give our forces the best chance of consolidating the situation before the process of transition to Afghan control accelerates in 2012 and 2013 when our forces can start to come home in greater numbers.”