UK 'will help rebuild Afghanistan'

British troops could help rebuild the country

UK troops look set to play a key role in any United Nations stabilisation force sent to help rebuild post-war Afghanistan.

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon confirmed the government was prepared to supply troops and would "very seriously" consider a request to lead the force.

He said the war against the Taleban had gone much better than expected - particularly the revolt against the regime in their strongholds in the south of the country.

If the United Nations makes a request we will look at that very, very seriously

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon

While the hunt for al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden continues, Mr Hoon confirmed the prime suspect for the 11 September attacks would be handed over to the United States if captured by British troops.

United Nations leaders have said they want a multi-national force in Afghanistan as soon as possible to help stabilise the region, rebuild and help aid organisations.

On Saturday US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Britain, Germany and Turkey were among nations who had offered to lead the force.

Rebuilding a nation

Mr Hoon told the BBC's Breakfast with Frost programme the international community could not afford to let the opportunity slip to provide a real future for Afghanistan.

But he refused to comment on speculation that 10,000 UK troops could be part of the international force.

Geoff Hoon: We would hand over Bin Laden

Mr Hoon said: "We certainly want to help. We have won the war and it is important that we win the peace and we play our part in the international community to rebuild Afghanistan."

He said details were still being working out but it was important there was agreement among all sides, including the new Afghan Government.

He said the question of Britain leading the UN force should be put to the Cabinet and discussed and in parliament.

"I see every advantage of one country providing the main elements of headquarters of this operation - something the United Kingdom has done very well in the past," he said.

US justice

Mr Hoon praised the work of British troops - who have secured Bagram airfield, near the capital Kabul, making it the main access point for aircraft in and out of Afghanistan.

The United Nations wants a international force in the region

Mr Hoon said Bin Laden would be handed over to the United States if captured by UK troops, with certain agreements, given the US policy of using the death penalty.

As a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights, Britain does not extradite suspects to countries which use the death penalty unless assurances are secured that they will not face execution.

"But what is important, given the appalling horror that this man perpetrated in the United States on 11 September, is that he faces justice in US," he said.

Warning to terrorism

Mr Hoon said the war in Afghanistan had gone better than expected.

He said: "We anticipated the Northern Alliance would be able to reoccupy those areas they dominated ethnically in the north of Afghanistan.

"What's gone much better than anyone could have expected is the revolt against the Taleban in the south.

"I wouldn't necessarily have expected that would have happened but it does demonstrate how deeply unpopular the Taleban was even in their ethnic heartland."