Military backs Afghanistan plan

• PM insists Kabul must take more responsibility • Hint that Obama will also agree to increase forces Gordon Brown hasannounced that the number of British troops in Afghanistan would rise by 500 to 9,500 in a move designed to end a damaging dispute between ministers and defence chiefs and reassure sceptics that the military presence there is worthwhile. Brown told MPs todayhis decision was "consistent with what the Americans will decide". It was a clear hint that Britain was expecting Obama to agree...