PM and NATO Secretary General focus on Afghanistan

Gordon Brown with the NATO Secretary-General; Crown copyrightThe Prime Minister and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen have agreed that the international community should continue to show resolve in Afghanistan.

Gordon Brown welcomed the Secretary General to Downing Street this morning and congratulated him on establishing himself quickly in his new role.

Their conversation focused on Afghanistan and recent political developments in the country. Both leaders were clear that President Karzai needs to use his second term in office to concentrate on issues such as governance and corruption.

The PM and the Mr Rasmussen also agreed that work needs to be done to establish a gradual handover of security responsibility to the Afghans in certain districts, starting from next year.