BBC RADIO 4

Today Weekdays 6-9am and Saturdays 7-9am

Page last updated at 09:22 GMT, Thursday, 11 February 2010

Afghan talks before new coalition thrust

Advertisement

A key Shura - council of Afghan tribal elders - is being held in the Helmand provincial capital Lashkar Gar to consider Operation Mushtarak and persuade tribes of to side with the government. British and American forces have been laying the ground for the operation over the last weeks.

Correspondent Ian Pannell joined the Grenadier Guards in the Nad Ali area in central Helmand.

SEE ALSO

Americas Africa Europe Middle East South Asia Asia Pacific