Defence Secretary 'optimistic' talks with Taliban will start soon

The Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has said he is "optimistic" that talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government will begin in the coming months.

Speaking at a British patrol base in Helmand Province, Afghanistan that will soon be handed over to local troops, Mr Hammond said momentum was building towards a process of negotiation.

ITV News' International Correspondent John Irvine reports from Camp Bastion in Helmand Province:

I think there’s quite a lot of reaching out with messages to the Taliban.

At the same time they’re felling a little bit of pressure coming from the Pakistanis to engage in the process and I think we’re all optimistic that we will see the start of some meaningful political dialogue over the coming months.

For British troops, the long campaign in Afghanistan is drawing to a close and the mammoth task of repatriating military equipment has begun.

Mr Hammond said the Afghan National Army was becoming more self-sufficient all the time. Between 15 and 20 British patrol bases have already been handed over to the Afghans.

But he stressed that a political dialogue with the Taliban would be vital for the long-term peace of the country and the eventual reintegration of militants.