Gordon Brown has pledged that Britain will continue to assist Afghanistan in its reconstruction efforts over the coming years.

Speaking as he visited troops in the country on Monday, the prime minister said the government would back Afghan forces in taking action against the Taliban.

He paid tribute to the Afghan government for its efforts to build a democracy and its fight against "terrorist enemies who threaten not only your country but are dangerous to the whole world".

And he pledged continued support "not only in terms of forces here", but also to assist with economic development, the building of schools, and improvements in healthcare.

The prime minister said he would be making a Commons statement on Afghanistan on Wednesday.

Assault

Describing Afghanistan as "a very important mission", he said Britain would "continue to give it support" and back decisions "that we must take action against the Taliban now".

His surprise visit came after a British soldier was killed following an assault on a Taliban stronghold.

On the Musa Qala assault, Brown said troops were working with Afghan forces as part of the "effort and work against the Taliban enemy".

"When action is finally achieved against the Taliban and they are excluded from this area we will be ready to support the economic and social development of the communities," he said at a joint news conference following talks with Afghan president Hamid Kharzai.

Challenging

The prime minister earlier praised British troops for their work in "one of the most challenging of environments".

Speaking as he visited Camp Bastion, the UK's largest military base in the country, Brown thanked the personnel and paid tribute to those who had lost their lives.

"I want to thank all those who have been injured for their service and I want to remember all those who have given their lives in the service of their country," Brown said.

"I want to thank every one of you for what you have done in what is the frontline against the Taliban.

"This is one of the most challenging of environments, this is one of the most difficult of tasks, this is one of the most testing of times.

"When I speak of courage, I speak of men and women here who have shown huge bravery in really difficult circumstances."