Petraeus: Afghan war will become harder before it gets easier

The Senate Armed Services Committee has been updated on the war in Afghanistan.

A top US general warned that progress against the insurgency there will probably be slower than during the build-up of US forces in Iraq two years ago. The US ambassador to Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry, also attended the hearing.

Speaking to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, General David Petraeus said the war will become harder before it gets easier.

He approves the escalation of US forces in Afghanistan.

General David Petraeus, Head of US Central Command, said, "Let me state upfront that I fully support the policy President Obama announced at West Point last week. Success in Afghanistan is necessary and attainable, but the challenges are great."

As the head of US Central Command, Petraeus is in charge of drawing down forces in Iraq and overseeing a new surge of 30-thousand US troops in Afghanistan.

He says increased fighting is expected in the Spring and the Summer in the country.

Petraeus told lawmakers that Obama's new policy will enable the US to make important progress over the next 18 months.