President

Updated November 11, 2009

Gen. Petraeus Says Afghan Troop Decision Near

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AP

Before heading into a meeting with President Obama, Gen. David Petraeus says a decision is nearing on sending more troops to Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Gen. David Petraeus, commander of the U.S. Central Command, says a decision is near on sending more American forces to Afghanistan.

The general, who was responsible for turning around the war in Iraq, spoke to CNN on Wednesday shortly before heading into a meeting with President Barack Obama and his war council about a new strategy in the 8-year-old Afghan conflict.

Petraeus said the matter of an increase in troops would be discussed at the meeting, and "I think we are indeed nearing a decision on this very important topic."

The White House insists that Obama, who leaves Thursday for an extended trip to Asia, has not made up his mind and was not likely to announce a decision for several weeks.

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