World | Afghanistan
Marines killed in Afghanistan are named
Two British Royal Marines killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan earlier this week were named by the Ministry of Defence on Friday.
London: Two British Royal Marines killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan earlier this week were named by the Ministry of Defence on Friday.
It said Robert McKibben, 36, from County Mayo in Ireland and Neil Dunstan, 32, from Bournemouth, were on a routine patrol when their vehicle was struck by an explosive device.
A member of the Afghan army was also killed and a third Royal Marine was seriously injured in the attack in the Garmsir district of Helmand province on Wednesday.
The deaths brought to 124 the number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan since the 2001 US-led invasion to oust the Taliban.
Their deaths came as concern was raised about Britain's ability to send more troops to Afghanistan above the 8,000 already there.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said on Thursday more foreign troops were needed to help fight the Taliban and to control the illegal drugs trade.
But Conservative Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague said Britain's armed forces were too overstretched to increase their commitment to Afghanistan.
Britain is the second-largest contributor of foreign forces in the country after the United States and also has 4,000 troops in Iraq.
Share this article
Afghanistan
Obama says will "finish the job" in Afghanistan
Rocket strike jolts Kabul hotel
Rocket hits outside Afghan luxury hotel
Suicide bomber kills 6 in Afghanistan
Karzai sworn in as Afghan president
Afghan official took bribe for China copper deal: US
Suicides in US Army to increase this year
New policy aimed at ending Afghan conflict, Obama says
More from World
News Editor's choice
-
Philippine massacre probe focuses on Arroyo ally
Arroyo vows justice for the victims and declares a national day of mourning
-
Italian PM gets 'Rockstar of the Year' title
Magazine hails Berlusconi's lifestyle
-
What drives Africa's new kind of refugees?
Warming-driven factors have led many in the continent to flee their homes

