British troops to join UN force in Somalia

British soldiers are to be deployed to Somalia as part of UN peacekeeping efforts to counter Islamic militants, the Prime Minister has announced.

Up to 70 troops will join the contingent to support African Union soldiers fighting al Shabaab extremists, providing combat training, medical, logistical and engineering support in the country.

Somalia's president Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud will be one of several world leaders David Cameron will have face-to-face talks with in New York. The extremist group has now been forced out of three-quarters of the territory it had controlled.

A further 250-300 could also be sent to South Sudan, where a humanitarian crisis has been declared after fighting between tribal groups forced two million people from the homes and millions more suffering a severe food shortage.

David Cameron hopes the move will stem migration to Europe and help combat terrorism in the region:

Mr Cameron said it was important to "step up" existing British contributions to the fight but sought to reassure voters over the level of risk posed to those joining the mission.