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Obama 'to detail Afghan end-game' Obama spells out US Afghan surge
(10 minutes later)
President Barack Obama is expected to announce that US forces will begin handing over to Afghan security forces by mid-2011, as part of an exit plan. President Barack Obama is to send 30,000 new troops to Afghanistan, pre-released excerpts from his new strategy speech say.
In a much-anticipated speech to the nation within hours, he is also set to unveil a rapid deployment of 30,000 fresh troops over six months. President Barack Obama will say they will be deployed "in the first part of 2010 - the fastest pace possible".
But Mr Obama will not give a pullout date; officials say that will depend on conditions on the ground at the time. Mr Obama is also spelling out key elements of an exit plan, including beginning to hand over to Afghan security forces by mid-2011.
Mr Obama will deliver his speech in the next two hours.
The surge will bring US troop strength in Afghanistan to more than 100,000.The surge will bring US troop strength in Afghanistan to more than 100,000.
MARDELL'S AMERICA The danger for the president is that this middling figure will annoy hawks, while annoying those who think any new build-up is undesirable Read Mark's thoughts in full Send us your commentsMARDELL'S AMERICA The danger for the president is that this middling figure will annoy hawks, while annoying those who think any new build-up is undesirable Read Mark's thoughts in full Send us your comments
Mr Obama's speech is likely to give a sense that the troops are going in hard to deal with the Taliban, then looking to get out again as soon as possible, says the BBC's North America editor, Mark Mardell.Mr Obama's speech is likely to give a sense that the troops are going in hard to deal with the Taliban, then looking to get out again as soon as possible, says the BBC's North America editor, Mark Mardell.
In a country suspicious of sending more troops, where the word Vietnam still resonates, it is important that there is no lingering sense of a conflict that will drag on, he adds.In a country suspicious of sending more troops, where the word Vietnam still resonates, it is important that there is no lingering sense of a conflict that will drag on, he adds.
A senior Pentagon official told the BBC the new troops, to be deployed by next summer, would be made up of 9,000 Marines and 21,000 regular soldiers, including trainers. A senior Pentagon official told the BBC ahead of the speech that the new troops, to be deployed by next summer, would be made up of 9,000 Marines and 21,000 regular soldiers, including trainers.
Mr Obama has reached his deployment decision after more than three months of deliberations and 10 top-level meetings with advisers.Mr Obama has reached his deployment decision after more than three months of deliberations and 10 top-level meetings with advisers.
It is the second time he is increasing the US contingent in Afghanistan after a reinforcement of 17,000 troops in February.It is the second time he is increasing the US contingent in Afghanistan after a reinforcement of 17,000 troops in February.
Some 32,000 other foreign troops are serving in Afghanistan but Nato allies have been cautious about contributing further forces.Some 32,000 other foreign troops are serving in Afghanistan but Nato allies have been cautious about contributing further forces.
'Quick punch''Quick punch'
Mr Obama left Andrews Air Force Base for West Point military academy in New York, where is due to make his announcement in a nationally televised speech to cadets.Mr Obama left Andrews Air Force Base for West Point military academy in New York, where is due to make his announcement in a nationally televised speech to cadets.
OBAMA'S SCHEDULE 2100 GMT: Meets Congressional leaders at White House2230 GMT: Departs for West Point, New York0100 GMT Weds: Address to the nation0340 GMT Weds: Arrives back at the White House Marines train for Afghanistan Afghans sceptical on new troops Mixed feelings in AfghanistanOBAMA'S SCHEDULE 2100 GMT: Meets Congressional leaders at White House2230 GMT: Departs for West Point, New York0100 GMT Weds: Address to the nation0340 GMT Weds: Arrives back at the White House Marines train for Afghanistan Afghans sceptical on new troops Mixed feelings in Afghanistan
Rising violence - more than 900 US soldiers have died in Afghanistan - and August's discredited elections have fanned mounting domestic opposition to the eight-year-old war.Rising violence - more than 900 US soldiers have died in Afghanistan - and August's discredited elections have fanned mounting domestic opposition to the eight-year-old war.
Earlier this year, the US military commander in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal, warned America risked failure unless troop numbers were increased. He requested 40,000 more soldiers.Earlier this year, the US military commander in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal, warned America risked failure unless troop numbers were increased. He requested 40,000 more soldiers.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told MSNBC on Tuesday: "This is not an open-ended commitment, what we are doing is putting forward a comprehensive strategy and an end-game in Afghanistan." White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told MSNBC on Tuesday the deployment would be accelerated to "deliver a punch quickly".
He said the deployment would be accelerated to "deliver a punch quickly".
The US president outlined his new strategy to Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai in an hour-long video conference on Tuesday morning.The US president outlined his new strategy to Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai in an hour-long video conference on Tuesday morning.
He told Mr Karzai that US efforts in Afghanistan were not "open-ended" and would be measured against goals over a two-year period, the White House said.He told Mr Karzai that US efforts in Afghanistan were not "open-ended" and would be measured against goals over a two-year period, the White House said.
The BBC's Martin Patience in Kabul says that while the speech will probably receive a cautious welcome from the Afghan government, many people in the country do not want any more foreign forces.
French refusalFrench refusal
The BBC's Martin Patience in Kabul says that while the speech will probably receive a cautious welcome from the Afghan government, many people in the country do not want any more foreign forces.
They say every time America sends more troops the security situation gets worse, and some question why the US is spending billions of dollars on the military - and not on aid and reconstruction, our correspondent says.They say every time America sends more troops the security situation gets worse, and some question why the US is spending billions of dollars on the military - and not on aid and reconstruction, our correspondent says.
France said it might be able to spare some personnel to train Afghan forcesFrance said it might be able to spare some personnel to train Afghan forces
Nato officials said on Tuesday that President Obama had asked European allies to contribute between 5,000 and 10,000 new troops to Afghanistan.Nato officials said on Tuesday that President Obama had asked European allies to contribute between 5,000 and 10,000 new troops to Afghanistan.
But President Nicolas Sarkozy has ruled out deploying more soldiers, although he might send military trainers, his special envoy to Afghanistan told AFP news agency.But President Nicolas Sarkozy has ruled out deploying more soldiers, although he might send military trainers, his special envoy to Afghanistan told AFP news agency.
French Defence Minister Herve Morin said earlier: "If there were to be an additional effort, the only effort that would make sense would be in terms of Afghan army and police training."French Defence Minister Herve Morin said earlier: "If there were to be an additional effort, the only effort that would make sense would be in terms of Afghan army and police training."
In Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel told a news conference Germany would wait until after a 28 January conference in London on Afghanistan before deciding on any troop increases.In Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel told a news conference Germany would wait until after a 28 January conference in London on Afghanistan before deciding on any troop increases.
On Monday, Britain confirmed it was sending 500 more troops, taking the UK's total deployment to 10,000.On Monday, Britain confirmed it was sending 500 more troops, taking the UK's total deployment to 10,000.
Italy has also said it will increase its force, although without saying by how much.Italy has also said it will increase its force, although without saying by how much.