US general warns of difficulties ahead in Afghanistan

A top US general has warned that progress against the insurgency in Afghanistan probably will be slower than during the build-up of US forces in Iraq two years ago.

Speaking to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, General David Petraeus also said the war will be harder before it gets easier. Petraeus added that he fully supports the upcoming escalation of US forces in Afghanistan.

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 in Afghanistan is expected in the spring and the summer. Petraeus told lawmakers that Obama's new policy will enable the US to make important progress over the next 18 months.