UK army chief says troops ready to re-enter Afghanistan in needed

British combat troops could return to Afghanistan if the country once again becomes a haven for terror groups, the UK army chief said on Monday.

Sir Peter Wall, the Chief of the General Staff, British Army

General Sir Peter Wall, the Chief of the General Staff, said he was confident that Afghan forces had the capability to keep the country secure after foreign combat troops leave at the end of this year.

Britain's decade-long involvement in Afghanistan has produced a ''warrior generation'' of troops who are ready to be deployed to the world's trouble spots, Gen Wall said.

He added that a ''resurgent'' Taliban and al-Qaeda could require Britain to make ''more effort'' in Afghanistan despite moves to achieve a total pull-out by the end of the year.

The statements came a day before David Cameron led the nation in marking the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War today.

Gen Sir Peter said if the situation changes and the Taliban insurgency gains ground, British troops could be required to go back in.

"It is vital that Afghan forces continue to deal with any threat of Al-Qaeda's return to the country," Wall said. "For if the Taliban were to be resurgent and Al-Qaeda was again establishing sanctuaries, we would have to consider whether more effort was required on our part.

''But for the moment, it is a matter for the Afghans and their leadership. On balance, I am optimistic that this will be made to work."

Britain currently has around 4,100 troops in Afghanistan, a ministry of defence official said. Some troops will remain in Afghanistan in a training role after the pullout.

Gen Wall said Afghan forces had the upper hand over the Taliban, having provided security for two elections, which showed the insurgency had lost the initiative.

"The fighting strength of the Afghan army and police force, together with the resilience of the Afghan people, has negated the threat posed by the Taliban," the 59-year-old said.

"But that is not to say they are yet completely defeated," he added.

"There is more to do in some of the more conservative areas that have not had the benefit of the social changes that have taken place elsewhere in the country."

He said the conflict had left Britain with a "warrior generation" prepared for future conflicts.

A total of 453 British troops have lost their lives in the Afghanistan operation since it began in October 2001. Of these, 404 were killed as a result of hostile action.