As international leaders gathered in Chicago for a Nato summit focused strongly on the future of Afghanistan, a senior official disclosed there could be a continued fighting role for UK forces in this country.

A senior un-named British official indicated a presence may be necessary to counter any attempt by al-Qaeda to re-establish a foothold in the country.

It is the first time Britain has given any indication it may keep forces in Afghanistan after 2014 apart from a small training contingent.

Britain plans to withdraw 500 soldiers from its 9,500-strong force in Afghanistan this year before ending combat operations in 2014 when Afghan security forces are due to have taken over responsibility for security.

This comes as the US President Barack Obama and Afghan leader Hamid Karzai signed a partnership deal cementing US support for Afghanistan and allowing Washington to keep troops there after 2014.

The official said, “The majority of forces that remain in Afghanistan will be in a training and mentoring role, for example at the Afghan Officer National Training Academy. But I wouldn’t rule out a small number of forces playing a counter terrorism role if needed.”

Britain has said previously that about 120 British troops will help train Afghan officers at a military academy modeled on Britain’s prestigious Sandhurst.

Britain, which currently has the second largest foreign force fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan after the United States, has not yet set out plans for how many troops it will withdraw in 2013 and 2014.

Author