LONDON, July 15, SPA -- Britain's army chief said Wednesday that more troops are needed in Afghanistan's southernprovince of Helmand as soldiers pursue a bloody campaign touproot Taliban fighters ahead of elections next month. Gen. Richard Dannatt, outgoing head of the British army,said larger numbers of soldiers are needed to holdterritory won in intense combat and to give ordinaryAfghans more confidence in the region's security. Itdoesn't matter whether the soldiers are British, Americanor Afghan, he was quoted as saying by The Associated Press. Britain has around 9,000 troops in Helmand and hassuffered heavy losses. The deaths of 15 soldiers this month_ including eight in a 24-hour period _ have prompteddebate over whether the conflict is winnable. About 4,000 U.S. Marines began operations in Helmand thismonth, seeking to prevent the Taliban from disrupting thecountry's presidential ballot on August 20. «I have said before, we can have effect where we haveboots on the ground. I don't mind whether the feet in thoseboots are British, American or Afghan, but we need more, tohave the persistent effect to give the people confidence inus,» Dannatt told BBC radio from Sangin, in Helmand.«That is the top line and the bottom line.»--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/684601