Gordon Brown today denied reports that Britain would back negotiations with Taleban guerrillas in Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister said however that he supported President Karzai in his decision to welcome former insurgents back into the fold if they renounce violence.

Mr Brown was unveiling his long-term strategy for British involvement in Afghanistan, including Afghan-led economic development. He promised that the UK will commit £450 million to aid from 2009 to 2012.

In a statement to the Commons, Mr Brown said that Britain would maintain a military force in Afghanistan of around today's figure of 7,800, second only to the US contingent. He announced increased support for those troops, including 150 new protected patrol vehicles and extra Sea King helicopters.

"But because we know that military success is only one part of the framework - a necessary but not sufficient condition for progress - we will train Afghan forces to take ownership of their own security," he added.

Mr Brown, who made a surprise pre-Christmas visit to Afghanistan earlier this week, said that the foundation for the “comprehensive framework of support” for the country was military backing for the Afghan Government against the Taleban and “denying al-Qaeda a base from which to launch attacks on the world”.

He added: “Our objective is to defeat the insurgency by isolating and eliminating their leadership. I make it clear that we will not enter into any negotiations with these people.

"As I have also made clear on countless occasions - most recently in Afghanistan - our objective is to root out those preaching and practising violence and murder in support of men and women of peace.

"But President Karzai's message to former insurgents is that if they are prepared to renounce violence and abide by the constitution and respect basic human rights, then there is a place for them in the legitimate society and economy of Afghanistan.

"He and his ministers told me this week that already some 5,000 fighters have laid down their arms. And we will support the Government in their efforts to reconcile all parties to Afghanistan's democratic constitution."

Both Mr Brown, and David Cameron, Leader of the Opposition, paid tribute to British and Afghan forces for their role in recapturing Musa Qala, which had been the only town in Afghanistan under Taleban control but was retaken this week after five days of fighting.

UK forces withdrew last October after a much-criticised local truce, only for the town to be seized by the Taleban in February. The Afghan Defence Ministry said today that the "victorious national flag" of Afghanistan had been raised over the the town today.

Mr Brown paid tribute to the 86 British servicemen and women who had lost their lives in Afghanistan, 42 of them this year alone. He said: “I know the whole House will join with me in honouring the memory of the fallen and saluting the courage of our military and our civilian personnel.

“And let me on the morning of the capture of Musa Qala praise the professionalism and resolve of our forces who have helped defeat the insurgents and in a vital district of Afghanistan restored peace."

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