Plans are also underway to temporarily redirect money from Navy and Air Force pay accounts to the Army's operating account to support our troops in Iraq.

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"This investment will support an increase in our reserve forces to a trained strength in the Army Reserve of 30, 000, the Maritime Reserve of 3, 100 and the Royal Auxiliary Air Force of 1, 800, all by 2018, " said Mr Hammond.

BBC: Army reservists overhaul outlined by Philip Hammond

He said the tribal elders were the "only way" to establish support from the local population: "The army cannot get them on our side".

BBC: NEWS | South Asia | West 'will fail' without Pakistan