US still reviewing options on troop size in Afghanistan

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Press Trust of India Washington
Last Updated : Feb 22 2013 | 8:45 PM IST
Refuting media reports that United States has decided on its troop presence in Afghanistan post 2014, the Pentagon today said it is still reviewing options and has not made a decision on it.
"The reports that the US told Allies that we are considering 8,000-12,000 US troops after 2014 are not correct. A range of 8,000-12,000 troops was discussed as the possible size of the overall NATO mission, not the US contribution," Pentagon Press Secretary George Little, said.
"The President is still reviewing options and has not made a decision about the size of a possible US presence after 2014, and we will continue to discuss with Allies and the Afghans how we can best carry out two basic missions: targeting the remnants of AQ and its affiliates, and training and equipping Afghan forces," Little said in a statement.
Earlier, a German official said that US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has told NATO allies that the US will leave between 8,000 and 12,000 American troops in Afghanistan after 2014, when combat ends.

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First Published: Feb 22 2013 | 8:45 PM IST

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