More than 80 residents packed a room to hear what Brent Central Parliamentary candidates had to say about the war in Afghanistan and other issues affecting the Middle East, writes Andrew Cheung. However, only Sarah Teather of the Liberal Democrats and Sha

More than 80 residents packed a room to hear what Brent Central Parliamentary candidates had to say about the war in Afghanistan and other issues affecting the Middle East, writes Andrew Cheung.

However, only Sarah Teather of the Liberal Democrats and Shahrar Ali of the Green Party participated in the public meeting at Willesden Green Library Centre in the High Road, organised by Brent Stop the War and Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

Shahrar Ali: "I'm opposed to the war on moral grounds and the ends don't justify the means.

"Also we are the cause of greater instability and by withdrawing we can make things better."

Sarah Teather said: "I don't think pulling out our troops is possible. The best we can do is to achieve stability in Afghanistan and we need a political strategy on the ground to do that, not airstrikes."

Former Labour MP Dawn Butler did not attend the meeting.