Gordon Brown arrives in Afghanistan on unannounced visit

Kabul: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is visiting his nation's troops in Afghanistan and promising them 200 new patrol vehicles that can resist roadside bombs more effectively.

Brown made an unannounced trip Saturday to Camp Bastion in Helmand province to thank the troops involved in a 3-week-old offensive to wrest control of the town of Marjah from the Taliban. The Press Association news agency says he focused on the battle against homemade bombs and the need to bolster training of the Afghan police force.

Brown says Britain will announce a multimillion-dollar investment in new British-built vehicles to replace others blamed for roadside bomb deaths.

Brown told the troops he will do everything he can to provide the equipment and resources they need to fight the war.