Keetch Visits British Troops In Oman

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 23rd Oct 2001

As military operations in Afghanistan intensify, Paul Keetch, the Member of Parliament for Hereford and Liberal Democrat Defence Spokesman, is visiting some of the British troops most likely to be involved in the action.

Mr Keetch is visiting the Middle Eastern state of Oman, where there are currently over 23,000 British troops involved in Operation Saif Sareea II, the biggest deployment of British Armed Forces to the Middle East since the Gulf War.

Speaking just before he departed Mr Keetch said:

"It's vitally important that we support our Armed Forces at a time when it looks as if they may be involved in direct conflict. I hope that by visiting troops out in Oman I can gain some understanding of the pressures that our Armed Forces are under at a time like this."

"The Armed Forces are one of our most precious public services. We should be very proud of them, and also of their families and loved ones, who bear a tremendous burden."

"Whatever the diplomacy and the politics that lead up to a conflict situation, once our Armed Forces are in action, all my thoughts are in supporting their efforts and wishing them safely back home."

"Our troops deserve the very best equipment and the very best training available. We should do all we can to protect our Armed Forces, just as they do all they can to protect us."