Washington, Sep 22 (DPA) Afghan President Hamid Karzai has endorsed a US military call for more troops in the conflict-torn country, calling it “the right approach”.
Reports earlier Monday said that General Stanley McChrystal, the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, wrote in a confidential report to Defence Secretary Robert Gates that the war against Taliban militants could “result in failure” unless more troops are sent to turn the tide within 12 months.
Karzai told broadcaster CNN that he supported McChrystal’s push for more outside forces. “We back it,” he said Monday.
During the interview, Karzai advocated increased efforts to protect Afghan civilians.
Since taking office in January, US President Barack Obama has supported more troops in Afghanistan. The US has more than 60,000 troops in the country, alongside 35,000 allied foreign forces.