David Miliband says Britain must help bring stability to Afghanistan given its potential as an 'expansion ground for Isis'

The International Rescue Committee chief has warned the situation is 'on the verge of becoming desperate'

David Miliband heads the humanitarian aid organisation International Rescue Committee (Getty)

Britain must be involved in bringing stability to Afghanistan, former foreign secretary David Miliband has said, particularly given the country’s potential as an “expansion ground for Isis”.

Military reinforcements are supporting forces on the ground in the Afghan town of Sangin amid fierce fighting against the Taliban.

Mr Miliband, who heads the International Rescue Committee – the humanitarian aid organisation – in New York, warned that the situation was “on the verge of becoming desperate”.

“We are paying the price of missed opportunities in the second term of President Karzai from November 2009 for five years,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

Mr Miliband said it was “important” that Britain remained part of a political strategy in Afghanistan, given the level of “sacrifice” during previous campaigns.

“I think that for Britain now – given the level of sacrifice but also the importance strategically of Afghanistan, of an entry point into central Asia, as a potential expansion ground for Isis and others – I think it is important for Britain to be part of the overall strategy to stabilise the country.”

A team of about 10 British troops has been deployed to help local forces, but the Ministry of Defence insisted that it is working in an advisory role only.