Leaders: Afghanistan a U.S.-NATO mission

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- U.S. and NATO leaders agreed Tuesday that the mission to Afghanistan is a shared responsibility, not solely a U.S. fight.

"We both agreed it is absolutely critical that we are successful in dismantling, disrupting and destroying the al-Qaida network" in Afghanistan, Obama said after meeting with NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the White House. "This is not an American battle, it is a NATO mission."

Rasmussen echoed Obama's sentiments about Afghanistan, saying, "It is and will remain a team effort."

The NATO chief said he agreed with Obama's approach to Afghanistan of developing a strategy first then considering resources.

"I'm convinced that success in Afghanistan is achievable and will be achieved," Rasmussen said, adding that "the normal discussion on the right approach should not be misinterpreted as lack of resolve. This alliance will stand united and we will stay in Afghanistan as long as it takes to finish our job."

Rasmussen said NATO leaders were reviewing the assessment by U.S. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. and NATO troop commander in Afghanistan, who said more troops were needed in Afghanistan and that the United States needed to change its strategy to be successful.

A meeting to discuss Afghanistan strategy was rescheduled until Wednesday, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.

"The principals will meet to get ready -- to continue to get ready for that meeting," Gibbs said. "As I understand it, General (David) Petraeus and General McChrystal will participate in the meeting ... ."

Obama and Rasmussen said the new U.S. plan to deploy a land and sea defense system "that ultimately will serve not only the United States but also NATO members effectively," the president said.

Rasmussen said he welcomed the new U.S. approach, "which will allow all allies to participate (and) which will protect all allies."