Obama to increase troops in Afghanistan

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-27-2009 10:12

US officials say President Barack Obama will announce a modest deployment of 4,000 more troops to Afghanistan.

The White House says the president will unveil his new strategy for Afghanistan on Friday after two-months of internal consultations.

US President Barack Obama holds an 'Open For Questions' town hall style meeting in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

The Washington Post quotes the officials as saying the new troops will be deployed to Afghanistan later this year.

It also says the extra brigade will train local police and security forces. The increase will raise U.S. troop levels there to between 61,000 and 65,000 troops.

That would double America's military presence in Afghanistan from last December.

Obama's new strategy will also likely include expanding Afghan security forces and appealing for cooperation from "moderate" insurgents.