Obama likely to announce Afghan troop decision next week

US President Barack Obama called his war council together on Monday. It was the ninth such meeting as Obama nears a decision on whether to send as many as 40,000 troops to an eight-year-old war that has begun to try the patience of the American people.

At a media opportunity with reporters after a Cabinet meeting, Obama refused to answer any questions from reporters about Afghanistan.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said a decision may come as early as sometime next week.

Monday's session is the 9th of its kind since September when Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan called for roughly 40,000 more troops.

Obama has since been under pressure to make a decision on troop levels. He has faced criticism from both Republicans, who are urging a quick decision, and anti-war Democrats who oppose any troop increase.

Richard Holbrooke, US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, said, "I've seen a lot of these things. This is the most thorough, the most sustained, most thoughtful process I have ever seen and over the long course of it, we have all learned a great deal from each other in a way which I think is exactly the way decisions should be made."

As Obama's administration neared an announcement on troop increases in Afghanistan, soldiers at a military Camp in Logar province prepared to head home at the end of their stay in the country.