UK lead combat role in Afghanistan will end before 2014, says Downing Street

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UK lead combat role in Afghanistan will end before 2014, says Downing Street

Whitehall and military officials say clarification on withdrawal strategy does not represent a change in thinkingDowning Street has said British troops will have ended their lead combat role in Afghanistan by the end of next year, making clearer the UK’s withdrawal strategy. Whitehall and military officials said this did not represent a change in thinking, but the remarks from No 10 are the most explicit yet and will help drive the transition process that has already started.