Responding to comments today by Air Chief Marshall Sir Jock Stirrup that Britain's armed forces are 'very stretched' by operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey MP said:
"This only reinforces our continued concerns about the pressures on our troops by fighting on two fronts, and further highlights the need to withdraw our troops from Iraq by October.
"If current commitments continue there will be severe implications for both the welfare and morale of our troops as well as future defence spending.
"However, we welcome today's news that NATO and Afghan forces are launching a combined offensive in Southern Afghanistan to help improve security and hope that this will go some way to relieve the current pressures on British forces in the region."
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