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LONDON, Sept 20 (Reuters) - The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) said on Thursday it was expanding its services to Afghanistan and the surrounding region in response to the escalating tensions in the area following last week's attack on the United States.

Saudi-born Osama bin Laden, named by the United States as the prime suspect in the attacks that killed thousands in New York and Washington, is believed to live in Afghanistan.

"For the region, the BBC World Service is a vital lifeline. Audiences literally depend on the BBC for impartial, accurate, trustworthy news and information," BBC World Service Director Mark Byford said in a statement.

"In Afghanistan, with no television and no national newspaper, the BBC radio is a main form of communication."

The BBC World Service has also boosted shortwave transmission to the region and expanded output in Arabic, Pashto, Persian and Urdu, key languages in the region.

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