The defeat of the Taliban is essential to world security, Prime Minister Tony Blair declared today.
Mr Blair flew in to the main British base in Helmand province to meet members of the UK Task Force, which has seen some of the heaviest fighting in recent months.
Speaking to troops, he said it was vital that the country was not allowed to fall back into the hands of the Taliban and al-Qaeda.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair
"Here in this extraordinary piece of desert is where the future of the world's security in the early 21st century is going to be played out," he said. "We know that the only way to secure peace sometimes is to be prepared to fight for it."
Mr Blair was later flown to the capital, Kabul, for talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
The Prime Minister's visit was billed as a show of support for the UK Task Force, which has seen some of the heaviest fighting by British troops since the Second World War.
Mr Blair's visit also gives him the opportunity to underline his commitment to the Afghan government of President Karzai. It is the second time that he has been to the country.
Mr Blair flew in from Pakistan, where he met President Pervez Musharraf to discuss how to beat the Taliban, pool counter-terrorist intelligence and quell militancy in Pakistani religious schools.