PRINCE HARRY - PRINCE HARRY ON FRONT LINE IN AFGHANISTAN

British royal PRINCE HARRY has been fighting the Taliban on the army's front line in Afghanistan for the last 10 weeks, it has emerged. The 23-year-old, who is third in line to the throne, was deployed to the war-torn country late last year (07) as the British government issued a media blackout on the situation to avoid any potential kidnap plots involving the young royal. But news of the prince's front line service was leaked by foreign media on Thursday (28Feb08), forcing the Ministry of Defence to issue a statement admitting the reports. Chief of the General Staff Sir Richard Dannatt, head of the British Army, says, "I am very disappointed that foreign websites have decided to run this story without consulting us. "This is in stark contrast to the highly responsible attitude that the whole of the U.K. print and broadcast media, along with a small number overseas, who have entered into an understanding with us over the coverage of Prince Harry on operations." But Harry, who is a second lieutenant in the Household Cavalry, is glad he has been given an equal opportunity to fight for his fellow countrymen. The Prince of Wales's communications secretary, Paddy Harverson, adds: "Prince Harry is very proud to serve his country on operations alongside his fellow soldiers and to do the job he has been trained for."