The US and UK yesterday unveiled a new counter-narcotics plan for Afghanistan, including a stronger eradication effort, in an attempt to deal with the growing poppy cultivation problem in the war-torn country.

American officials said the coalition's current strategy had achieved some positive results in the more stable northern part of the country. But they conceded that there was a growing problem in the south which has become increasingly unstable as the Taliban continue their offensive against US and Nato troops.