Liam Fox raises prospect of British troops starting to leave
Afghanistan next year  Defence secretary sets out how government
will conduct 'ruthless' and 'unsentimental' review of armed
forces and security   • Jump to comments () David Cameron speaks
to British troops during his first visit to Afghanistan since
taking office David Cameron in Afghanistan last week.
Photograph: Getty Images  The defence secretary, Liam Fox, has
held out the prospect of British troops starting to leave
Afghanistan next year as he set out how the government will
conduct what he called a "ruthless" and "unsentimental" defence
and security review.  In his first speech on the review, he
echoed David Cameron's recent remarks that British troops were
in Helmand province "out of necessity, not choice". Their
mission was "vital for our national security", he said.
However, Fox described the campaign's aim as creating a "stable
enough Afghanistan to allow the Afghan people to manage their
own internal and external security". He continue