Listen: Protection of troops and civilians in Afghanistan raised

The Government has been asked what it is doing to protect British forces and civilians in Afghanistan in the wake of a bomb attack in Kabul, which last week claimed the life of Limavady doorman Simon Chase.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Jan 2014, 07:19 BST
Afghan security forces leave the site of a suicide attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Jan. 17, 2014. A Taliban suicide bomber and two gunmen on Friday attacked a Lebanese restaurant that is popular with foreigners and affluent Afghans in Kabul, a brazen attack that left ore than a dozen dead, including foreigners dining inside and two other gunmen, officials said. (AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini)Afghan security forces leave the site of a suicide attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Jan. 17, 2014. A Taliban suicide bomber and two gunmen on Friday attacked a Lebanese restaurant that is popular with foreigners and affluent Afghans in Kabul, a brazen attack that left ore than a dozen dead, including foreigners dining inside and two other gunmen, officials said. (AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini)
Afghan security forces leave the site of a suicide attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Jan. 17, 2014. A Taliban suicide bomber and two gunmen on Friday attacked a Lebanese restaurant that is popular with foreigners and affluent Afghans in Kabul, a brazen attack that left ore than a dozen dead, including foreigners dining inside and two other gunmen, officials said. (AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini)

Labour MP John Spellar said he had raised the issue of procection of British nationals in the war-torn Central Asian country last April.

Following the deadly suicide attack on a restaurant in Central Kabul - popular with officials, foreigners and business people - on January 17, Mr Spellar once again pressed the Government on the issue.

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“In the light of the shocking events in Kabul in the past few days, can he provide reassurance to them and their families as to what is being done to provide protection now and after the military draw-down?” he asked.

Afghan security forces leave the site of a suicide attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Jan. 17, 2014. A Taliban suicide bomber and two gunmen on Friday attacked a Lebanese restaurant that is popular with foreigners and affluent Afghans in Kabul, a brazen attack that left ore than a dozen dead, including foreigners dining inside and two other gunmen, officials said. (AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini)Afghan security forces leave the site of a suicide attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Jan. 17, 2014. A Taliban suicide bomber and two gunmen on Friday attacked a Lebanese restaurant that is popular with foreigners and affluent Afghans in Kabul, a brazen attack that left ore than a dozen dead, including foreigners dining inside and two other gunmen, officials said. (AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini)
Afghan security forces leave the site of a suicide attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Jan. 17, 2014. A Taliban suicide bomber and two gunmen on Friday attacked a Lebanese restaurant that is popular with foreigners and affluent Afghans in Kabul, a brazen attack that left ore than a dozen dead, including foreigners dining inside and two other gunmen, officials said. (AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini)

Minister of State at the Foreign Office, Hugh Robertson replied: “After the military draw-down, of course, the hope is that a NATO-led mission will replace the international security assistance force.

“Britain’s part in that will be to provide mentors and trainers. We keep the security situation in Kabul and elsewhere under close review on a daily, if not hourly, basis, and we amend the advice accordingly.”

Related topics:GovernmentAfghanistanLimavady