The British Ministry of Defense (MoD) said on Friday that Prince Harry would be withdrawn from Afghanistan after his secret deployment was leaked out by the media.
"The decision by elements of the foreign media to report Prince Harry's presence in Afghanistan without any consultation with the Ministry of Defense is regrettable," the MoD said in a statement.
"However, this was a circumstance that we have always been aware of and one for which we have had contingency plans in place. Whilst it had been intended that Prince Harry should return in a matter of weeks with the remainder of the Household Cavalry Regiment Battle group, the situation has now clearly changed," the MoD said.
Following a detailed assessment of the risks by the operational chain of command, Chief of Defense Staff, Air Chief Marshal Jock Stirrup, in consultation with Chief of the General Staff Richard Dannatt, had made a decision to withdraw Prince Harry from Afghanistan immediately, said the ministry.
"This decision has been taken primarily on the basis that the worldwide media coverage of Prince Harry in Afghanistan could impact on the security of those who are deployed there, as well as the risks to him as an individual soldier," it said.
The ministry also urged the media to refrain from speculating on Harry's current location, timelines and routes until he returns to the UK.
Harry, 23, who is third in line to the throne, has spent the last 10 weeks serving in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan, and fighting the Taliban on the front line.
As a member of the Household Cavalry, Prince Harry has been based in a former madrassa along with a Gurkha regiment, in southern Helmand. Aside from foot patrols, he is also acting as a tactical air controller, calling up allied air cover in support of ground forces.
The deployment was subject to a news blackout deal, which broke down after being leaked by foreign media.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Prince Harry had been an "exemplary soldier." "The whole of Britain will be proud of the outstanding service he is giving," he added.
Source: Xinhua
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