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PM pays tribute to British troops in Sangin

Prime Minister David Cameron has paid tribute to the "huge achievements" made by British troops in Sangin Province in Afghanistan

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The PM’s words follow the ISAF announcement earlier today that British forces in southern Afghanistan have handed responsibility for security in Sangin to US forces.

Mr Cameron said the announcement was the “right decision for the right reasons” and would enable the UK to share the burden properly with its allies and concentrate its forces where they will have the maximum impact.

The PM said:

Our troops have performed magnificently in Sangin and I pay tribute to the thousands who have served, to the over one hundred who have given their lives, to the many who have been wounded.

They did not die in vain. They made Afghanistan a safer place and they have made Britain a safer place and they will never be forgotten.

The transfer of authority, first announced by the Defence Secretary in July this year, is the last move in the current rebalancing of ISAF forces across Helmand. It follows an increase in ISAF and Afghan security forces in Helmand over recent months and will ensure an equal distribution of ISAF forces amongst the Afghan population living there.

Published 20 September 2010