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New British Army Chief Warns Afghanistan is 40 Year Mission

by Rob Walker | August 8, 2009 at 10:30 am

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The new head of the British Army warned the UK government on Saturday that their involvement in Afghanistan could last up to 40 years.

The news comes a day after three special forces soldiers were killed in an ambush in Helmand province, and two days after NATO asked Canada to keep its military there past its 2011 pullout day.

General Sir David Richards, who will become Chief of the General Staff later this month, said the UK will be involved in development, governance or security reform for the next 30 to 40 years.

Richards, who will become Chief of the General Staff later this month, told the Times: "I believe that the UK will be committed to Afghanistan in some manner – development, governance, security sector reform – for the next 30 to 40 years."