'They paid the ultimate price'

Here are the statements made by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, and Defence Secretary Des Browne after the British military death toll in Afghanistan reached 100.

PRIME MINISTER GORDON BROWN

My first thoughts and condolences are with the families of these soldiers, who died serving in Afghanistan with such distinction.

"I want to pay tribute to the courage of all the 100 British troops who have given their lives in Afghanistan in the service of their country.

They have paid the ultimate price, but they have achieved something of lasting value Gordon Brown

"The risks they bear and the sacrifices they make should be in our thoughts, not just today but every day. They have paid the ultimate price, but they have achieved something of lasting value - helping turn a lawless region sheltering terrorists into an emerging democracy.

"I do not believe democracy in Afghanistan would have survived without Nato and UN support, and British forces have been on the front line of that international effort and have acquitted themselves with great bravery and professionalism.

AIR CHIEF MARSHALL SIR JOCK STIRRUP

As you know, 100 brave and professional servicemen have now died in Afghanistan.

They laid their lives down for their country and their comrades.

Every one of those deaths is a tragedy. Nothing can ever compensate for the loss felt by their loved ones and to them all I extend my deepest sympathies.

Much of this progress could quickly unravel without a continuing and energised international commitment Sir Jock Stirrup

I only hope that the terrible hardship that they have been asked to bear can be eased by the certainty that in Afghanistan our forces are engaged in a most worthy and noble endeavour. And they are making good progress.

Right across the country, the international effort is beginning to affect real change. Ordinary Afghans face immense hardships but bit by bit life is improving.

In parts of Afghanistan which were once lawless, there is now governance and rule of law. Across the country, more than seven million children are now in school and increasing numbers of people have access to healthcare.

Nowhere is the battle for the future of Afghanistan more pressing than in Helmand, the focus of the British effort, where UK forces have magnificently taken the fight to the Taliban and put them on the back-foot.

Make no mistake, the Taliban influence is waning, and through British blood, determination and grit, a window of opportunity has been opened.

"The international community is starting to grasp this opportunity, and throughout the province the indications are promising, with the green shoots of development emerging from Musa Qala in the north of the Sangin Valley to Garmsir in the south.

But much of this progress could quickly unravel without a continuing and energised international commitment.

Our Armed Forces are resolute in doing what their country asks of them. These deaths, though hard to bear, remind us all of the extraordinary sacrifices they and their families make on our behalf - and of the price of failure if we falter in Afghanistan. We continue to owe them a great debt of gratitude.

DEFENCE SECRETARY DES BROWNE

I would like to express my deepest sympathy for the family, comrades and friends of the three soldiers killed in Afghanistan this weekend.

My thoughts at this time are also with the loved ones of each and every one of the 100 courageous members of the British Armed Forces who have now lost their lives in Afghanistan.

Quite simply they exemplify the very best qualities of the human spirit Des Browne

They gave their lives securing freedom and stability, not just for the people of Afghanistan but, as the tragic events of 9/11 showed, for all of us. We will never forget them.

Every visitor to our forces in Afghanistan comes back with the same sense of awe and admiration for the courage, professionalism and dedication of the remarkable young men and women serving out there.

As a nation we have always been supremely proud of our Armed Forces, and with considerable justification. Quite simply they exemplify the very best qualities of the human spirit.

Their effect on Southern Afghanistan in the last two years has been remarkable. They have transformed the heartland of the Taliban from an area of lawless oppression and terrorism to a place of democracy and development.

We must never forget that this extraordinary achievement, which makes us all safer from the scourge of terrorism, has come at a very significant cost to our brave servicemen and women, their families and friends.