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Obama consults on Afghan policy Obama aware of Afghan differences
(about 1 hour later)
US President Barack Obama has met key figures from Congress to discuss future US strategy on Afghanistan. US President Barack Obama has said his decision on a new strategy in Afghanistan will not please everyone.
After the meeting, top Democratic Senator Harry Reid said members of both parties had told the president they would support his decision. He told key figures from Congress, gathered to discuss future US plans, that he would decide the question with a sense of urgency.
Republican Senator Mitch McConnell stressed backing would depend on Mr Obama following his generals' advice. Democratic Senator Harry Reid said members from both parties told Mr Obama they would support his decision.
But Republican Senator Mitch McConnell stressed backing would depend on Mr Obama following his generals' advice.
The talks at the White House came as debate intensifies over whether the US should send more troops to Afghanistan.The talks at the White House came as debate intensifies over whether the US should send more troops to Afghanistan.
A US official, quoted by Reuters news agency, said of the meeting: "He... made it clear that his decision won't make everybody in the room or the nation happy, but underscored his commitment to work on a collaborative basis."
About 30 senior congressional figures from both parties' leaderships and key House and Senate committees were involved.About 30 senior congressional figures from both parties' leaderships and key House and Senate committees were involved.
The president is going to make a decision - popular or unpopular - based on what he thinks is in the best interests of the country Robert GibbsWhite House spokesmanThe president is going to make a decision - popular or unpopular - based on what he thinks is in the best interests of the country Robert GibbsWhite House spokesman
Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that there had been some agreement but also some "diversity of opinion".Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that there had been some agreement but also some "diversity of opinion".
She said that resources should not be deployed in Afghanistan without a strategy in place first.She said that resources should not be deployed in Afghanistan without a strategy in place first.
Former Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain urged Mr Obama to take heed of the advice given by generals on the ground.Former Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain urged Mr Obama to take heed of the advice given by generals on the ground.
An unnamed Obama administration official told reporters that the president would "be rigorous and deliberate, while moving forward with a sense of urgency".An unnamed Obama administration official told reporters that the president would "be rigorous and deliberate, while moving forward with a sense of urgency".
Speaking earlier, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Mr Obama considered it "tremendously important" to listen to Congress but that he would not be swayed by political considerations.Speaking earlier, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Mr Obama considered it "tremendously important" to listen to Congress but that he would not be swayed by political considerations.
"The president is going to make a decision - popular or unpopular - based on what he thinks is in the best interests of the country," he said."The president is going to make a decision - popular or unpopular - based on what he thinks is in the best interests of the country," he said.
Last week the top US and Nato commander in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal, said the operation was "under-resourced" and a "dramatically different" strategy might be needed.Last week the top US and Nato commander in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal, said the operation was "under-resourced" and a "dramatically different" strategy might be needed.
Afghan strategyAfghan strategy
Tuesday's meeting came a day after Defence Secretary Robert Gates said more time was needed to decide on Afghan troop deployment.Tuesday's meeting came a day after Defence Secretary Robert Gates said more time was needed to decide on Afghan troop deployment.
US media reflects bitter debate Indecision reveals uncertaintyUS media reflects bitter debate Indecision reveals uncertainty
Mr Gates said the president welcomed candid advice on Afghanistan, but added that it should be made in private - considered a mild rebuke after public remarks on Afghanistan by Gen McChrystal and other senior officials.Mr Gates said the president welcomed candid advice on Afghanistan, but added that it should be made in private - considered a mild rebuke after public remarks on Afghanistan by Gen McChrystal and other senior officials.
The defence secretary is believed to have an open mind on the direction of Afghan strategy.The defence secretary is believed to have an open mind on the direction of Afghan strategy.
But the security situation in Afghanistan is continuing to deteriorate, with Mr Gates saying the war was on a "worrisome trajectory".But the security situation in Afghanistan is continuing to deteriorate, with Mr Gates saying the war was on a "worrisome trajectory".
Eight US servicemen and two Afghan soldiers died on Sunday in an attack in Afghanistan's Nuristan province.Eight US servicemen and two Afghan soldiers died on Sunday in an attack in Afghanistan's Nuristan province.
The bodies of four of the Americans killed were brought back to Dover Air Force base in the US state of Delaware on Tuesday.The bodies of four of the Americans killed were brought back to Dover Air Force base in the US state of Delaware on Tuesday.
Covert operationsCovert operations
The Obama administration is under increasing pressure to set out a revised policy on Afghanistan, where the conflict will shortly enter its ninth year.The Obama administration is under increasing pressure to set out a revised policy on Afghanistan, where the conflict will shortly enter its ninth year.
Divisions are emerging in Congress between some Democrats concerned by the prospect of deploying more US forces to Afghanistan and some Republicans urging the Obama administration to follow the advice of top generals and increase troop levels.Divisions are emerging in Congress between some Democrats concerned by the prospect of deploying more US forces to Afghanistan and some Republicans urging the Obama administration to follow the advice of top generals and increase troop levels.
MARDELL'S AMERICA Has Gen Stanley McChrystal over-stepped the mark? Mark MardellBBC North America editor Read Mark's thoughts in fullMARDELL'S AMERICA Has Gen Stanley McChrystal over-stepped the mark? Mark MardellBBC North America editor Read Mark's thoughts in full
An alternative strategy would concentrate on targeting al-Qaeda and increasing covert operations and unmanned drone attacks. Vice-President Joe Biden is said to favour this approach.An alternative strategy would concentrate on targeting al-Qaeda and increasing covert operations and unmanned drone attacks. Vice-President Joe Biden is said to favour this approach.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said on Monday that the US was not considering pulling its troops out of Afghanistan.White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said on Monday that the US was not considering pulling its troops out of Afghanistan.
Some 68,000 US troops are due in Afghanistan by the end of 2009.Some 68,000 US troops are due in Afghanistan by the end of 2009.
Mr Obama met Gen McChrystal on Air Force One in Copenhagen last week.Mr Obama met Gen McChrystal on Air Force One in Copenhagen last week.
The president has said the strategy in Afghanistan must be agreed before a decision can be made on troop numbers.The president has said the strategy in Afghanistan must be agreed before a decision can be made on troop numbers.
Gen McChrystal had described the situation in Afghanistan as "serious" and is believed to have requested up to 40,000 additional troops.Gen McChrystal had described the situation in Afghanistan as "serious" and is believed to have requested up to 40,000 additional troops.
He is believed to want the focus of the strategy to fall on protecting the Afghan people and carrying the fight to the Taliban.He is believed to want the focus of the strategy to fall on protecting the Afghan people and carrying the fight to the Taliban.
US strategy will be discussed in a series of Obama administration meetings this week.US strategy will be discussed in a series of Obama administration meetings this week.
At the weekend, the new head of the British Army, Gen Sir David Richards, backed calls for more international forces, saying that reinforcements would enable Nato to achieve its objectives more quickly and with fewer casualties.At the weekend, the new head of the British Army, Gen Sir David Richards, backed calls for more international forces, saying that reinforcements would enable Nato to achieve its objectives more quickly and with fewer casualties.