Britain"s Queen Elizabeth II Friday drew attention to the suffering of many families as a result of the rising British death toll in the conflict in Afghanistan, according to dpa. In a televised message, the queen expressed sadness at the deaths and said Britain owed the soldiers a "profound debt of gratitude." This year alone, 106 British soldiers have died in southern Afghanistan, making it the bloodiest year for British forces in the conflict so far. The almost daily repatriation of bodies has sparked a political debate about Britain"s participation in the conflict, and threatens to overshadow the election campaign early next year. "I am sure that we have all been affected by events in Afghanistan and saddened by the casualties suffered by our forces serving there," the 83-year-old monarch said. "Our thoughts go out to their relations and friends who have shown immense dignity in the face of great personal loss." Her broadcast featured the town of Wootton Bassett in the southern county of Wiltshire, where members of the public regularly line the streets to stand in silence pay their respects to fallen service personnel. The queen also paid tribute to the soldiers of the Commonwealth nations fighting in Afghanistan.
