US president Barack Obama has already said he is bring home 10,000 American
troops this year with the withdrawal of the 33,000-strong US troop "surge"
to be completed by the end of the summer next year.
Mr Cameron, who returned last night from a two-day visit to the country, said
operations were now entering a "new phase" with the Afghan forces taking on
more of the fighting.
The Prime Minister, who was briefed by senior British and US commanders, said
significant progress was being made in the fight against the Taliban and in
building up Afghan government capabilities.
"While it is too early to tell for certain, initial evidence suggests that we
have halted the momentum of the Taliban insurgency in its heartland in
Helmand province," he said.
He said the killing of al Qaida leader Osama bin Laden by US special forces
had presented the Taliban with "a moment of real choice" to abandon its
struggle and join the political process.
"We should take this opportunity to send a clear message to the Taliban - now
is the time to break decisively from al Qaida and to participate in peaceful
political process," he said.
The move was welcomed by Ed Miliband, the Labour leader.
Mr Miliband said: "This year and next we must maintain the combination of
military pressure, accelerated build up of the Afghan security forces and
work on basic governance and justice.
"So let me say I support the Prime Minister's plan to maintain British troop
levels above 9,000 as they have been for the last two years for this
fighting season and the next.
"This will give our forces the best chance of consolidating the situation
before the process of transition to Afghan control accelerates in 2012 and
2013 when our forces can start to come home in greater numbers."
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