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Obama in Afghan troop level talks Obama in Afghan troop level talks
(about 4 hours later)
US President Barack Obama is to discuss US policy in Afghanistan with his national security team, as speculation mounts over a decision on troop levels. US President Barack Obama is to discuss US strategy in Afghanistan with his national security team, as speculation mounts over a decision on troop levels.
A White House spokesman said Mr Obama was considering four options as he headed into the meeting. A White House spokesman said Mr Obama was considering four options, but did not elaborate on what they were.
He denied reports that the president had already settled on a figure and said a decision was still weeks away. He denied reports that the president had already settled on a figure, saying a decision was still weeks away.
The top US military commander in Afghanistan has asked for at least 40,000 more US troops there. But British Prime Minister Gordon Brown told parliament that he expected Mr Obama to announce a decision soon.
"I have spoken to President Obama and I expect him to announce in a few days what his numbers for Afghanistan will be," Mr Brown told British MPs on Wednesday.
'Not the slightest idea'
Wednesday's meeting comes as an exhaustive review of US strategy in Afghanistan, including troop levels, appears to be drawing to a close.Wednesday's meeting comes as an exhaustive review of US strategy in Afghanistan, including troop levels, appears to be drawing to a close.
Reports citing anonymous officials have suggested that a figure somewhat below the 40,000 suggested by Gen Stanley McChrystal is likely to be chosen. The top US military commander in Afghanistan has asked for at least 40,000 more US troops there.
Reports citing anonymous officials have suggested that a figure somewhat below that mark is likely to be chosen.
ANALYSIS Caroline Wyatt, BBC defence correspondentANALYSIS Caroline Wyatt, BBC defence correspondent
President Obama has now had on his desk the report and recommendations from the ISAF commander he appointed in Kabul, Gen Stanley McChrystal, for almost three months. President Obama has now had on his desk the report and recommendations from the Isaf commander he appointed in Kabul, Gen Stanley McChrystal, for almost three months.
While British, US and other forces on the ground get on with the task of trying to build a reasonable Afghan security force so that Afghans can ultimately ensure their own security and stability, the fear is that the delay at the White House is helping the Taliban, who - with every ISAF soldier's death - are hitting successfully at the international community's will to continue the campaign. Growing frustration at delay While British, US and other forces on the ground get on with the task of trying to build a reasonable Afghan security force so that Afghans can ultimately ensure their own security and stability, the fear is that the delay at the White House is helping the Taliban, who - with every Isaf soldier's death - are hitting successfully at the international community's will to continue the campaign. Growing frustration at delay
But on Tuesday White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the president was yet to decide. Speaking on Tuesday, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the president was yet to decide.
"Anybody who tells you the president has made a decision... doesn't have, in all honesty, the slightest idea what they are talking about," he said."Anybody who tells you the president has made a decision... doesn't have, in all honesty, the slightest idea what they are talking about," he said.
He gave no details about the four options that he said Mr Obama would weigh up.
Officials have stressed that the review is not just about numbers, but includes decisions on how troops should be deployed.Officials have stressed that the review is not just about numbers, but includes decisions on how troops should be deployed.
Among the key outstanding issues is said to be how much the government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who was recently declared the winner of a widely criticised election, can be relied upon.Among the key outstanding issues is said to be how much the government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who was recently declared the winner of a widely criticised election, can be relied upon.
One senior source told the BBC that whichever option was chosen, the focus would be on protection and training rather than going out and seeking to kill the Taliban.One senior source told the BBC that whichever option was chosen, the focus would be on protection and training rather than going out and seeking to kill the Taliban.
Critics have said the decision on Afghanistan is taking too long, while Mr Obama has said he does not want to rush a decision that involves putting troops at risk.Critics have said the decision on Afghanistan is taking too long, while Mr Obama has said he does not want to rush a decision that involves putting troops at risk.
The BBC's Caroline Wyatt says that there is a growing sense of frustration at the length of time it is taking for the White House to make its decision amongst military commanders and politicians from other coalition countries. The BBC's Caroline Wyatt says that there is a growing sense of frustration at the length of time it is taking for the White House to make its decision among military commanders and politicians from other coalition countries.
As public support for the campaign wanes in almost every Nato ally, the signal sent out by President Obama's decision will be crucial - and the fear is that the current delay sends out a message to other Nato members, to the Afghan people and to the Taliban and al-Qaeda that America and its partners may be wavering, she says. She says that as public support for the campaign wanes in almost every Nato ally, the signal sent out by President Obama's decision will be crucial - and the fear is that the current delay sends out a message to other Nato members, to the Afghan people and to the Taliban and al-Qaeda that America and its partners may be wavering.
Any reinforcement of troops is expected to start next spring.Any reinforcement of troops is expected to start next spring.
The US currently has some 68,000 troops in Afghanistan, contributing to a coalition force of more than 100,000.The US currently has some 68,000 troops in Afghanistan, contributing to a coalition force of more than 100,000.