Speaking to The Guardian newspaper, Browne also said there was evidence of links between the Taliban and Iran, whom he described as "backing every horse in the race" in Afghanistan.

Asked by the newspaper whether he thought southern Afghanistan had reached a turning point, Browne replied: "I think the honest answer is yes, it could be."

Browne said that he was "genuinely surprised" by the amount of progress made by Britain in promoting stability in southern Afghanistan.

He added, responding to a question about whether there would still be thousands of British troops in Afghanistan in 10 years, that: "I do not envisage we will be in anything like the same profile on the present scale."

"I think it's too early to put a time on that."

Britain currently has about 7,000 troops deployed in Afghanistan, most of whom are in the restive southern Helmand province, as part of the UN-sanctioned, NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.

On links between Afghanistan and Iran, Browne said: "I have no doubt -- because we have uncovered evidence -- of weapons coming in through narco-trafficking routes, supplying weapons to the Taliban."

"I have reason to believe the Taliban go to Tehran for training."

Browne noted, however, that Afghanistan could not be stable in the long run unless "it is in conjunction with Iran and Pakistan."

Regarding Iraq, Browne said that he expected to be able to hand over responsibility for the southern city of Basra to Iraqi forces "in a matter of months."

He added, though, that any lowering of the number of British troops in Iraq from the 5,000 that will remain by the end of the year will only occur after discussions with the United States.

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