January 27, 2009

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 (Xinhua)—U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said Tuesday that there’s “no purely military solution” for the Afghan war, which he described as “our greatest military challenge.”

Gates made the remarks when briefing senators on war plans for Afghanistan and Iraq on the Capitol Hill.

While saying that Afghanistan is not solely a military issue, Gates noted that more troops are needed “to provide a baseline level of security in some of the most dangerous areas.”

Gates is explaining to the lawmakers how President Barack Obama plans to implement his campaign pledge to increase the focus on Afghanistan, where U.S. and NATO troops are battling a resurgent Taliban foe. Enditem
(c) 2009 Xinhua News Agency