The British government has announced a 40 percent increase in aid projects in Afghanistan as it gears up to fulfill a pledge to remove its combat troops from the country by 2014.

The BBC:

UK spending on Afghanistan aid projects is set to rise by 40% in efforts to hasten the withdrawal of troops from the country.

International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell is to say securing progress there is his top priority.

The government has already committed £500m on projects in Afghanistan over the next five years.

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