Prime Minister Stephen Harper pledged unwavering support to Canadian Forces in Afghanistan and issued a stern rebuke to Liberal MPs who have questioned Canada's role in the war-torn nation.

"I was very distressed to read suggestions by some Liberal MPs this week at the caucus meeting that they might want to question that involvement, that they might want to have a vote," Harper said during a press conference Wednesday.

"You do not send men and women into harm's way on a dangerous mission with the support of our party and other Canadians, and then decide when they're over there that you're not sure you should have sent them. That's not the way this government is going to behave," Harper said.

A CTV News poll released last week found that most Canadians are uneasy about the mission in Afghanistan, an anxiety likely heightened by daily reports of violence targeting foreign troops.

But Harper said the previous government made the commitment to Afghanistan, and his party has every intention of following through on it.

"This is a critical mission," Harper said. "It's important for global security. The party I lead strongly supported the previous government in its commitment and we believe that the success of this mission is important not just in terms of Canada's objectives but important in terms of the contribution we are making to the world community and global security."

He went on to say the government is fully behind the troops who have been sent to Afghanistan, and he encouraged Canadians to follow suit.

"We will also fulfill the responsibility we have, and all Canadians have, to support the men and women that we have put in a dangerous mission."

Harper's comments came during a rare press conference where reporters were allowed to pose questions to the prime minister. He touched on a number of topics including the recent murder of a Canadian couple in Mexico, Alberta's move towards a two-tier health system, and his plans to legislate the election of senators.

The comments came after reports Harper was planning to visit Afghanistan this week and that members of the Prime Minister's Office were already there preparing for his arrival.

Harper dismissed the reports and said he has no plans to travel to Afghanistan, telling reporters "obviously in the future if we decide to travel somewhere we'll let you know."

Canada's role in Afghanistan has increased recently, as Brig.-Gen. David Fraser has assumed command of a new multinational force that includes 2,200 Canadians. They will patrol six provinces in the southern part of Afghanistan, which spreads over about 220,000 square kilometres.

Reaction

The Liberals were quick to respond that it was Harper himself who promised during the campaign that Parliament should be responsible for overseas deployment of troops.

"He's questioning our commitment while his hypocrisy stinks to high heaven on all of his promises that he's breaking," Liberal defence critic Ujjal Dosanjh said.

Liberal Interim Leader Bill Graham said Harper was "pointing the gun at the wrong place."

He noted the Liberals initiated the mission and support its humanitarian and security goals.

Gen. Rick Hillier, however, was delighted by Harper's remarks.

"Those kinds of words, delivered with that passion, will resonate with the men and women who wear our uniform," the chief of defence staff said Wednesday on CTV Newsnet's Mike Duffy Live.

From the military's perspective, there's nothing to debate, Hillier said.

"We are there (in Afghanistan) and we are committed to doing the job," he said.

Canada has committed to operating a provincial reconstruction team in Kandahar until February 2007.

Hillier couldn't say whether a debate in Parliament now would affect the morale of troops on the ground in Afghanistan.

"As long as they believe that what they're doing is seen by the country as important ... that will allow them to proceed with the mission," he said.

With a report from CTV's David Akin