British troops are set to assume the lead role in an international stabilisation force for Afghanistan. The Prime Minister, Mr Blair, confirmed this last night as he signalled the possible deployment of between 1,000 and 1,500 British troops. Mr Blair is expected to make a full statement to MPs tomorrow, paving the way for an advance guard of the multi-national force to arrive in Kabul by December 22nd when the new interim administration takes power.
Earlier yesterday, Downing Street played down the prospects of having the totality of a stabilisation force in place by that date, amid continuing uncertainty about the final scale of the British deployment and the continued insistence of Afghanistan's putative defence minister, Mr Mohammed Fahim, that no more than 1,000 international peacekeepers are required to support the new administration.
British officials were scheduled to discuss the issue with the leader of the new interim regime, Mr Hamid Karzai, during a brief stop-over in Britain last night, with key decisions about a British-led mission awaiting the return to London today of Maj Gen John McColl, the leader of the British reconnaissance team to Kabul.
While confirming there were still outstanding issues to be resolved, Downing Street had insisted the continuing delay did not betoken any fundamental problem.
A spokesman for Mr Blair said: "The fact that we are taking a bit of time to bolt down these issues and get things right should be taken as a signal of the seriousness with which we are approaching this and an indication of the complexity of the task."
With London on a renewed state of alert for the possibility of a terrorist attack police are believed ready to use the new detention powers in a limited operation which may be targeted at between 12 and 20 foreign nationals suspected of involvement with international terrorism.
Arrests could follow within days as Britain formally renounces Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights following the passage of Mr David Blunkett's anti-terrorism, crime and security bill.
Meanwhile, Downing Street has said that a British Muslim who has reportedly claimed to have recruited volunteers for the Taliban could face prosecution under existing anti-terror laws.
A spokesman confirmed that Mr Hassan Butt, a member of the al-Muhajiroun organisation, could not be interned under the new legislation.