Britain Deploys First Troops in Afghanistan December 22, 2001 12:08 am EST

KABUL (Reuters) - British troops were deployed in the Afghan capital for the first time on Saturday, with 20 commandos assisting with security at the Interior Ministry where a new interim government will be sworn in later in the day.

The Royal Marines arrived in Kabul from the Bagram air base, some 25 miles from the capital on Friday evening, but went straight to the British Embassy. Saturday's presence at the Interior Ministry was their first involvement with security.

Their commander, Major Matt Jones, told Reuters the Marines were providing "a presence, reassurance" at the ministry in coordination with Northern Alliance troops. The Marines were wearing green berets but not helmets. They had personal weapons with them but were not involved in searching guests arriving for the inauguration.

The Northern Alliance was the main military force in the defeat of the routed Taliban government, and will be providing 18 of the 30 ministers in the interim administration of Hamid Karzai, who becomes interim President.

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2001