Obama sending 17,000 troops to Afghanistan

In his first major military move, President Barack Obama approved the deployment of 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan, saying they were needed "to stabilise a deteriorating situation."

"There is no more solemn duty as president than the decision to deploy our armed forces into harm's way," Mr Obama said in a statement.

"I do it today mindful that the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan demands urgent attention and swift action."

Mr Obama said the deployment orders were in response to a months-old request by the US commander in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan, who had asked for 30,000 more troops.

"This increase is necessary to stabilise a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, which has not received the strategic attention, direction and resources it urgently requires," added Mr Obama.The president said he had approved a request by Defence Secretary Robert Gates to deploy a Marine Expeditionary Brigade in the spring, and an Army Stryker Brigade and support forces later this summer.

The White House said some 17,000 troops will be deployed to Afghanistan ahead of Afghan elections scheduled for August 20, significantly building up the 38,000-strong US force already on the ground battling a growing insurgency.