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Obama seeks Afghanistan closure Obama seeks Afghanistan closure
(10 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama has said it is his intention to "finish the job" in Afghanistan after eight years of conflict there.US President Barack Obama has said it is his intention to "finish the job" in Afghanistan after eight years of conflict there.
Mr Obama said he would announce a long-awaited decision over sending more troops to Afghanistan "shortly".Mr Obama said he would announce a long-awaited decision over sending more troops to Afghanistan "shortly".
Some US media reports have suggested that the US president is intending to send 34,000 more troops.Some US media reports have suggested that the US president is intending to send 34,000 more troops.
He has been considering a request from his top commander in Afghanistan for 40,000 more US troops.He has been considering a request from his top commander in Afghanistan for 40,000 more US troops.
Mr Obama said a continuing review of US policy in Afghanistan had been "extremely useful", stressing that it was in the US strategic interest to make sure al-Qaeda and its allies could not operate in the area.Mr Obama said a continuing review of US policy in Afghanistan had been "extremely useful", stressing that it was in the US strategic interest to make sure al-Qaeda and its allies could not operate in the area.
"After eight years, some of those years in which we did not have, I think, either the resources or the strategy to get the job done, it is my intention to finish the job," he said."After eight years, some of those years in which we did not have, I think, either the resources or the strategy to get the job done, it is my intention to finish the job," he said.
Speaking at a press conference with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he added that the Afghan people were "going to have to provide ultimately for their own security".Speaking at a press conference with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he added that the Afghan people were "going to have to provide ultimately for their own security".
Mr Obama is widely expected to announce his decision on US troop reinforcements in Afghanistan in a prime-time TV address next Tuesday.Mr Obama is widely expected to announce his decision on US troop reinforcements in Afghanistan in a prime-time TV address next Tuesday.
He said he thought the American people would "be supportive" of the eventual decision when provided with a "clear rationale".He said he thought the American people would "be supportive" of the eventual decision when provided with a "clear rationale".