Miliband and Rice Arrive in Afghanistan

The foreign secretary, David Miliband, and the US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, arrived in Afghanistan today as concern continues to grow over the progress of operations against the Taliban and its effects on the unity of Nato.

As the pair tour the region, the US defense secretary, Robert Gates, is expected to crank up pressure at Nato on European allies who refuse to send troops to the frontline in the south.

He said he would continue to be "a nag on this issue" at a Nato meeting today and tomorrow in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Miliband and Rice arrived in the capital, Kabul, then flew to the former Taliban stronghold of Kandahar in the south of the country to look at the front lines of the Nato-led fight against Afghan insurgents.

They are expected to meet senior military figures, civilian leaders and other key workers on their unannounced visit.

Rice had been in London for talks with Miliband and the prime minister, Gordon Brown, where they issued a renewed appeal to Nato allies in Afghanistan to take on a greater share of the fighting.

They are likely to hold discussions on how to continue building the capability of Afghanistan's own forces and selecting someone acceptable to the Afghan government for the role of coordinating international civilian and military operations.

The Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, rejected the candidacy of Lord (Paddy) Ashdown last month, apparently fearing he would become a viceroy figure.

Miliband said today: "We've got responsibilities that we're determined to live up to and obligations that we're determined to live up to and ditto for the Afghan authorities.

"That's something we want to follow through and at the heart of both our strategies is the belief this has to be done with the Afghan government and, in fact, led by the Afghan government, with our support."

Rice added: "The Afghan government has responsibilities, too. This is a two-way street, and I think everybody has to step back and concern ourselves with the Taliban."