Obama vows to "never rush" Afghan troops decision despite growing pressure

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- Increasingly pressed to make a quick decision on whether to send more U.S. troop to Afghanistan, U.S. President Barack Obama pledged on Monday that he "will never rush" on such a decision.

U.S. President Barack Obama departs for a two-day trip to Florida from the White House in Washington, October 26, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

"NEVER RUSH THE DECISION"

"I will never rush the solemn decision of sending you in the harm's way. I won't risk your lives unless it's absolutely necessary," said the president while delivering a speech to some 3,500 military personnel at a naval air station in Jacksonville, Fla.

"This is very important as we consider our next steps in Afghanistan," he stressed.

Stating that he "will never hesitate to use force to protect the American people or our vital interests," Obama pledged that even if it's necessary to send the U.S. troops into war, "we will back you up to the hilt."

The U.S. troops "deserve the strategy, the clear mission, the defined goals and all of the equipment and support you need to get the job done," said the president, adding that "we are not going to have a situation in which you are not fully supported back here at home."

"That is a promise that I will always make to you," said Obama.