UK's Brown stands firm on Afghanistan

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown delivers a speech to the Royal College of Defence Studies setting out Britain's position in the on-going war in Afghanistan on November 6, 2009 in London, England. Mr Brown is coming under increasing pressure to justify the case for the Afghan conflict following a recent series of killings of British servicemen in the country. (Oli Scarff/WPA Pool, Getty Images)

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is warning Afghanistan to take action against corruption.

Brown says he won't risk more British lives there unless the government reforms.

The prime minister said in a speech that success in Afghanistan is vital to Britain's security. But he declared that if the Afghan government does not mend its ways, it will forfeit the world's support.

The speech comes after the deaths of seven British soldiers in the past week, including five who were shot by an Afghan police officer they were training. Corruption-marred presidential elections and rising casualties have undermined British support for the war.

Britain has promised to send 500 more troops to Afghanistan — though Brown says that depends on how much progress the Afghan government makes.

©2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.