Gordon Brown visits Afghanistan

Prime minister Gordon Brown talks to British soldiers at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Britain's prime minister has called the border areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan a 'crucible of terrorism' that Western powers must combat for their own safety Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA

Gordon Brown inspects the Afghan guards of honor with President Hamid Karzai after his arrival at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan Photograph: Musadeq Sadeq/AP

Prime minister Gordon Brown meets British soldiers at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province, Afghanistan Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA

The prime minister meets Private Leon Wilson of the 2nd Mercier, who had a lucky escape last last week when a bullet struck his helmet and saved his life, at Lashka Gah, in Afghanistan Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA

Gordon Brown meets local community leaders before taking part in a Shura, an informal meeting with locals, at Lashka Gah, a forward base in Helmand province, Afghanistan Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA

Gordon Brown speaks as Hamid Karzai looks on during a joint press conference at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan Photograph: Musadeq Sadeq/AP

Gordon Brown has breakfast with British soldiers at Lashkar Gah, a forward base in Helmand Province, Afghanistan Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA