Protest in London marks 10 years of war in Afghanistan

A protest is taking place in central London to mark 10 years of the conflict in Afghanistan.

Musicians, actors, film-makers, artists and MPs are joining protesters for the Anti-war Mass Assembly in Trafalgar Square.
The Stop The War Coalition says it expects a huge turnout. It says opinion polls show most British people want a "speedy withdrawal" of UK forces.
But a BBC correspondent says protest numbers so far are lower than expected.
Ben Ando, in Trafalgar Square, estimated there were 800 to 1,000 people at the event.
Speakers at the event include Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, journalist John Pilger, activist Jemima Khan, singer Billy Bragg, composer Howard Blake, musician Brian Eno, comedian Mark Steel, Egyptian novelist Ahdaf Soueif, head of the Unite union Len McCluskey, actors Simon McBurney and Mark Rylance, and a number of Labour MPs.
Later, ex-soldiers and military families are due to march on Downing Street.
'Bring troops home' A Stop The War spokesman said: "After 10 years of war in Afghanistan, more than 100,000 Nato troops remain and tens of thousands have died.
"The Government claims that the war is contributing to Britain's stability look increasingly hollow.
"Opinion polls suggest the majority of Britons want a speedy withdrawal of British troops, a view recently endorsed by the trade unions.
"Politicians have to get in step with public opinion and announce a date to bring troops home."
Campaigners held a Naming the Dead Ceremony, in which 120 names of British soldiers and Afghan civilians who have died in the 10 years since the war began will be read out.
The same number of balloons will be released, each symbolising the months of the conflict so far.
'Tweet-out' A "Tweet-out" led by Khan will take place, in which those in attendance will use social media to get their message to a wider audience.
At 16:00 BST - the closing stages of the demo - a delegation are due to march on Downing Street to deliver their message to the prime minister that they want the conflict to end as soon as possible.
Our correspondent said it remained to be seen whether the prime minister was at Downing Street or whether he would come out to meet campaigners.
The number of British military deaths in operations in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 382.
@'BBC'
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