Obama says military option in Afghanistan is not open-ended

Washington, Mar.23 (ANI): President Barack Obama has said that the United States must look for a way out of the war in Afghanistan, suggesting that the military build-up in that landlocked country will not be open-ended.

"There's got to be an exit strategy. There's got to be a sense that this is not perpetual drift," Obama told "60 Minutes" on CBS in a wide-ranging interview.

Obama's remarks, which were recorded on Friday, indicated that the administration, which has more troops and resources in Afghanistan than European countries do, is also working toward a long-term strategy.

Last month, he announced that he would send 17,000 more American troops to Afghanistan this spring and summer, adding to the 36,000 already there.

According to the New York Times, Obama said the United States is keen to redefine its mission in Afghanistan, away from the Bush administration's broader strategy of promoting democracy, civil society and governance in Afghanistan and toward getting the country to a point where it is not used to start attacks on the United States.

Asked what the United States' mission in Afghanistan should be, Obama replied: "Making sure that Al Qaeda cannot attack the U.S. homeland and U.S. interests and our allies. That's our No. 1 priority." (ANI)