Levin says hold off on sending more troops

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- A key Senate Democrat says the United States must speed training and equipping of Afghan security forces before increasing U.S. combat troops in Afghanistan.

U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, made his comments Thursday in a telephone interview with The New York Times.

"I just think we should hold off on a commitment to send more combat troops until these additional steps to strengthen the Afghan security forces are put in motion," Levin said.

The Times said his sentiments reflect doubts the Obama administration confronts as it ponders whether to increase its commitment in Afghanistan amid declining public support at home and concerns among U.S. commanders on the ground.

Levin said he had shared his concerns with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Thursday lawmakers would oppose any request for more troops from U.S. Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal.

"I don't think there is a great deal of support for sending more troops to Afghanistan in the country or in Congress," Pelosi told reporters.

The White House, the Times said, has indicated Obama might not decide for weeks or longer whether to send more troops to Afghanistan. Administration officials want to review the effectiveness of the most recent U.S. troop increase, to an all-time high of 68,000.